Chapter 2

In this chapter you will learn about:

1. Kind of vital signs

2. Abnormal vital signs

Reading

Vital Sign

Vital signs are used to measure the body's basic functions. These measurements are taken

to help assess the general physical health of a person, give clues to possible diseases, and

show progress toward recovery. The normal ranges for a person's vital signs vary with age,

weight, gender, and overall health. There are four main vital signs: body temperature, blood

pressure, pulse (heart rate), and breathing rate. (The Cleveland Clinic Foundation, 2014).

Blood pressure is the measurement of the pressure or force of blood against the walls of

your arteries. Blood pressure is written as two numbers, such as 120/80 millimeters of

mercury (mm Hg). The first number is called the systolic pressure and measures the pressure

in the arteries when the heart beats and pushes blood out to the body. The second number is

called the diastolic pressure and measures the pressure in the arteries when the heart rests

between beats. The normal blood pressure is between 90/60 mmHg to 140/90mmHg.

Pulse and respirations are related since heart and lung functioning work together.

Normally, increases or decreases with one causes the same effect on the other. Pulse can be

measured at any place where there is a large artery (e.g. carotid, femoral, or simply by

listening over the heart), though for the sake of convenience it is generally done by palpating

the radial impulse. The normal pulse rate is "60-100 bpm" regular in rhythm. The normal
pulse rate varies from a low of 50 bpm in healthy, athletic young adults to rates well in

excess of 100 bpm after exercise or during times of excitement

Respirations are recorded as breaths per minute. They should be counted for at least 30

seconds as the total number of breaths in a 15 second period is rather small and any

miscounting can result in rather large errors when multiplied by 4. Try to do this as

surreptitiously as possible so that the patient does not consciously alter their rate of

breathing. This can be done by observing the rise and fall of the patient's hospital gown while

you appear to be taking their pulse. Normal is between 12 and 20. In general, this

measurement offers no relevant information for the routine examination. However,

particularly in the setting of cardio-pulmonary illness, it can be a very reliable marker of

disease activity.

Temperature (Read and fill the blank with the words in the box)

Body temperature is difference between heat produced and heat lost. The

hypothalamus acts as the body's thermostat to maintain between the body's heat-producing

function (metabolism, shivering, muscle contraction, exercise and thyroid activity) and heat

losing methods (radiation, convection). Normal temperature is between 36.5 – 37.5 C with a

fever defined as greater than 38-38.5 C or 101-101.5 F. Rectal temperatures take in (1)

rectum (F), which most closely reflect internal or core values, are approximately 1 degree F

higher than those obtained orally. Another method to taking temperature is tympanic

temperatures in (2) ear (g), Use tympanic thermometer. Uncommon method, some times take

temperatures in skin and temporal.A special digital thermometer is used for this reading. The

device is placed on the (3) forehead (g) and swiped along one side of the face. It is then held
 until the unit beeps. Commonly, we use oral and axillary temperatures which is can take in

the (4) mouth(b) and (5)axilla (h).

a. Eyes d. Hand g. Ear

b. Mouth e. Nose h. Axilla
c. Armpit f. Rectum i. Forehead

Quiz
Match the “Key Terms” in the table below, what are the words define:
1. Temperature a. High blood pressure; greater than 140/90.
2. Elevated Temperature b. Number at which the first sound is heard or highest number
when the blood pressure is measured.
3. Pulse
c. Low blood pressure; lower than 90/50
4. Pulse Rate d. Abbreviation for temperature, pulse and respiration
5. Pulse Spots e. The process of breathing; the exchange of gases (oxygen and
carbon dioxide) in the lungs.
6. Respirations
f. Abbreviation for vital signs which are temperature, pulse,
7. Blood Pressure respiration and blood pressure.
8. Systolic Pressure g. Areas on body where pulse can be counted or measured.
h. Number at which the last sound is heard or lowest number
9. Diastolic Pressure
when blood pressure is measured.
10. Hypertension i. Measurement of body heat.
11. Hypotension j. Measurement of the force of the blood against the walls of the
12. TPR arteries.
k. Usually a sign of illness.
13. VS l. Expansion and contraction of an artery.
m. Measures heart beats; the number of times the heart beats per
minute.
 Answer sheet
1. I 8. B

2. K 9. H

3. L 10. A

4. M 11. C

5. G 12. D

6. E 13. F

7. J

Please describe the diagram below:

Sourch: (Remutkowski et al, 2016)

 Diagram above describe the principal function of the lungs is gas exchange. To this
end, under normal tidal breathing, 8000–12000 L of air pass through the lungs each day. Normal
breathing for one minute can be categorized as newborn breathing 26-40x/sec, toddlers as 20-
30x/sec, children breath 18-24x/sec, teenagers breath 16-24x/sec, adult breath 12-20 x/sec , and
eldery breath as 12-24x/sec. If there is an abnormality on the results of the count carried out, you
should keep in mind whether there are congenital diseases, allergies or other danger signs that.
And then very importance to monitoring vital sign our patient.