Scribd
Upload
16 views

Vital_Signs

Vital signs are essential measurements of the body's basic functions, including temperature, pulse rate, respiration, and blood pressure, which can be monitored in various settings. The document outlines methods for measuring each vital sign, emphasizing proper techniques and the importance of accuracy. Understanding vital signs is crucial for everyone, not just healthcare professionals, as it aids in detecting and monitoring health issues.

Uploaded by

Mr. Tauqeer Ahmed Faculty Member FUCN
Copyright
© © All Rights Reserved
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
Available Formats
Download as PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd
16 views

Vital_Signs

Vital signs are essential measurements of the body's basic functions, including temperature, pulse rate, respiration, and blood pressure, which can be monitored in various settings. The document outlines methods for measuring each vital sign, emphasizing proper techniques and the importance of accuracy. Understanding vital signs is crucial for everyone, not just healthcare professionals, as it aids in detecting and monitoring health issues.

Uploaded by

Mr. Tauqeer Ahmed Faculty Member FUCN
Copyright
© © All Rights Reserved
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
Available Formats
Download as PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd
You are on page 1/ 2

What are Vital Signs?

Vital signs are measurements of the body's most basic functions.

Vital signs are useful in detecting or monitoring medical problems. Vital signs can be measured in a medical
setting, at home, at the site of a medical emergency, or elsewhere.

Familiarization of the Thermometer


There are different varieties of thermometers that are used to take body temperature. Most of the time people
use the more modern digital thermometers that use an electronic probe to measure body temperature. There are
numerous ways to take body temperature. For example, body temperature can be taking by the mouth, rectum,
and by the ear.

Step 1 - Have the patient sit in an upright position. (Patient should not move and be relax as possible).

Step 2 - Clean the thermometer using cotton with alcohol.

Step 3 - Carefully place the tip of the thermometer under the armpit of the patient.

Step 4 - Make sure your patient’s arm is tucked snugly against his/her body.

Step 5 - Leave the thermometer in place for about 1 minute, until you hear the “beep”.

Step 6 - Remove the thermometer and read the temperature. A number will appear, indicating in degrees
Fahrenheit/Celsius the temperature of the patient’s body.

Step 7 - Clean the thermometer.

What is the pulse rate?

Taking a pulse rate is checking the number of times the heart beats per minute. When checking a pulse it also
checks the heart rhythm and the strength of the pulse. For example, the strength or weakness of the pulse
indicates overall heart-health. The normal pulse for healthy adults ranges from 60 to 100 beats per minute.

Step 1 - Relax the patient arm on the table. The patient’s palm should be facing the ceiling and the fingers
should be relaxing as well.

Step 2 - Use the first and second fingertips, and place it on the patient’s wrist or where the forearm meets the
upper arm press firmly but gentle on the arteries until one can feel a pulse. It can be radial or ulnar pulse.

Step 3 - Keep hand on the pulse and begin counting the pulse. Count the second hand on whatever the number
that was start from. Count pulse for 60 seconds (or for 15 seconds and multiply by four to calculate beats per
minute).

Note: When counting, concentrate on the beats. Try not to watch the clock continuously, so it does not become
confusing.

Step 4 - Chart down the results when done. If one is unsure about the result ask someone to watch the clock
while one counts the beats.

What Is the Respiration?


Respiration is the number of breaths a person takes per minutes. While counting the number of times a person’s
chest rises or the movement of the abdomen, it is important that one pays close attention to the chest. A normal
respiration would be 16-20 breaths per minutes.

Note: When taking respiration do not tell the person that he or she is being watching breathing. A person tends
to breathe differently when they are aware of someone checking their respiration.
Step 1 - Tell the patient to sit up straight and relax and breathe.

Step 2 - As the patient is breathing gently place hands on their upper chest and middle back. Then look at the
chest as it rises.

Steps 3 - When the chest rises then begin to count to a full minute. Once the counting is finished then record
how many times the chest rises and that will be the answer.

What is Blood Pressure?


Blood pressure is measured with a blood pressure cuff and stethoscope. Each heart beat pumps the blood in the
arteries, the highest blood pressure as the heart contracts.

When measuring blood pressure there are two numbers that should be recorded, they are systolic pressure and
the diastolic pressure. The systolic pressure is the higher number of pressure inside the artery when the heart
contracts and pumps the blood throughout the body. On the other hand the diastolic is the lower number of
pressure inside the artery when the heart is resting and is filled with blood.

Note: When measuring blood pressure rest for three to five minutes without taking a measurement.

Step 1 - Sit patient in a comfortable chair, with his or her back supported with legs uncrossed. (No movement
should be allowed).

Step 2 - Place patient arm on a table or hard surface. Make sure the arm is being relaxed and patient is
comfortable.

Step 3 - Wrap the cuff carefully around the patient upper part of the arm.

Note: The cuff should be sized easily for the patient, so that it would have enough room for one fingertip to slip
underneath.

Step 4 - Place the stethoscope in your ear. Then place the diaphragm underneath the cuff on the artery.

Step 5 - You should pump the cuff to make sure that it works. Also turn the knob to make sure there is no air in
the cuff.

Step 6 - You should begin pumping the cuff until the measurement says 180. Slowly unleash the turning knob
and listen to the heart beat.

Warning: If the cuff is pumped over the amount that is giving, it can cause serious damage to the patient health.

Step 7 - The first heart beat should be measured, and the least beat should be measured and that will indicate
the systolic pressure and diastolic pressure.

Conclusion: It is very important for people to learn about their vital signs. It does not necessary means doctors
or health provider can take vital signs but an individual can also. This particular technique can be use for any
one, regardless if they are in the health field or not.

You might also like