WELCOME TO

OUR
PRESENTATION
 Unit : 05 VITAL SIGNS

Nursing College of Female PMCH Nawabshah

PRESENTED BY : Group A
Amina Ab : khaliq , Aqsa Kanwal ,
Amina Arain , Anzala , Amina Amirudin
Represented to :
Sir Zahid Chandio

18/07/2024
 Under standing the Vital Signs

Content :
 Introduction to vital signs
 Components of vital signs
I. Body Temperature
II. Fever
III. Heart rate
IV. Respiration
V. Blood Pressure
Introduction to vital signs:
 Vital signs are measurements of body’s most basic
function.
 Vital sign are assessing the general physical health
of a person , giving clues to possible disease and
show process toward recovery.
 Vital signs are otherwise called “cardinal signs”.
 Vital signs indicate the effectiveness of
circulatory , respiratory , neural & endocrine body
functions.
Components Of Vital Signs
THERE ARE FOUR KINDS OF VITAL SIGNS:
1. Body temperature:
It tells about the regulatory system.
2. Heart rate :
It explain about heart functioning.
3. Respiration :
It describe about lungs functioning.
4. Blood pressure :
It tells about pressure of the arteries.
Other Important
Measurements :

 Pain scale
 Color of skin
 Pupil size
 Pupil reactivity
 Level of consciousness
 Response to stimuli
 Oxygen saturation
When To Assess Vital Sign:

 On admission to a health care agency .

 When a client has a change in health status such as
stomach pain , feeling faint .
 Pre and post operatively procedure .
 Before and after the administration of a medication
such as before digital preparation.
 Before & after any nursing process that could affect
the vital signs.
 Monitoring during recovery .
Body Temperature:
 Body temperature is the balance between heat
produced and heat loss by the body.
 Temperature measured in term of heat units
called degrees.
 Temperature is commonly measured using a
thermometer .
 Normal body temperature is 98.6F˚ or 37C˚
There are two kinds of body temperature:
1. Core temperature
2. Surface temperature
 Core temperature :
It is the temperature of the deep tissues such as
cranium , thorax , abdominal cavity & pelvic cavity.
It remains relatively constant.
 Surface temperature :
It is the temperature of the skin , the subcutaneous tissues &
fat
It rises or falls in response to environment.
amount of heat produced by the body is equal to amount of
heat lose , the person is in heat balance.
Ways that affect heat production and heat loss in the
body
Heat Balance

Heat production Heat loss

1.Evaporation: body heat
Basal metabolism
turns sweat into vapor
Shivering 2. Convection : heat loss by air
Thyroxin & epinephrine or water moving across the
Fever skin surface
3. Conduction- Direct contact
with an object
Factors Affecting The Body
Temperature :

 Age
 Muscle activity
 Hormonal influences
 Stress
 Environment
 Ingestion of hot and cold liquids
 Circadian rhythms
 Exercise
 Sites For Taking The Body Temperature
SITE ADVANTAGES DISADVANTAGES
Oral Accessible & Thermometers can be broken
Inaccurate if client has just ingested hot or cold fluid or
convenient smoke
Rectal Reliable measurements Inconvenient and unpleasant , difficult for patient who
can not turn to side
Lateral & sim’s position
Axillary Save & non invasive Thermometer must be left in place for long time

Tympanic Reflects the core Uncomfortable and involves risk of injuring the
membrane
membranes temperature very fast
Temporal Safe and fast Require electronic equipment(expensive& unavailable)
Variation in technique if the client has perspiration on
artery the forehead
How to asses body temperature

Tympanic Axillary Rectal

Temporal Oral
Alternation in body temperature :
There are two primary alternations in body temperature :
Pyrexia
Hypothermia
Pyrexia:
Fever, referred to as Pyrexia in medical terms, is a condition in
which the patient's body temperature has risen above the normal
range. (37.5 degrees Celsius)
Hypothermia:
Hypothermia is a condition that occurs when core body
temperature drops below 95 degrees Fahrenheit (35 degrees
Celsius). It is a medical emergency.
In hypothermia the body loses heat faster than it can produce
heat, causing a dangerously low body temperature.
The Signs Of Pyrexia
• Loss of appetite
• Headache
• Hot dry skin
• Flushed skin
• Malaise
• Experience periods of delirium or seizures
Nursing interventions for client’s with
pyrexia
• Monitor vital signs.
• Assess skin color & temperature .
• Remove excess blanket when the client feels warm
& provide extra warmth when the client feels chilled.
• Provide adequate nutrition and fluid .
• Reduce physical activity to limit heat production.
• Provide a tepid sponge bath to increase heat loss
through conduction.
The Clinical Sign Of Hypothermia

• Decrease body temperature , pulse , respiration

• Severe shivering
• Feelings of cold , chills , pale and cool skin
• Decrease urinary output
• Lack of muscle coordination
• Drowsiness progressing to coma
• Frostbite (nose , fingers , toes)
Nursing Intervention For Patient With
Hypothermia:

• Provide a warm environment

• Provide drying clothes
• Apply warm blanket
• Cover the client’s scalp with a cap
• Supply warm oral or intravenous fluids
• Apply warm pads
Fever :
Fever is a temporary increase in
body temperature , often due to an
illness .
Four common types of fever
• Intermittent fever :
the body temperature alternate at regular intervals
between period of fever
Example : malaria
• Remittent fever :
Like intermittent fever, this fever fluctuates throughout
the day, but never falls all the way back to a baseline
normal temperature(occurs 24-hour periods)
Example : cold or influenza
Relapsing fever :
Short febrile period of a few days are
interspersed with period of 1or 2 days of
normal temperature.

Constant fever :
The body temperature fluctuates minimally but
always remain above normal
Example : typhoid
• Normal body temperature : Around
98.6F(37)
• Lower grade fever :99.5 to 100.3(37.5to 37.9)
• Moderate fever : 100.4 to 102.2(38 to 39)
• High fever :102.2 to 104.0(39 to 40)
• Very high fever : above 104.0(40)
• Hyperpyrexia(Extremely High Fever):
Above 106.0 (40.1), which is a medical
emergency.
Causes of fever
• Infection : Bacterial , viral , fungal .
• Inflammatory Conditions :Rheumatoid
arthritis , lupus.
• Heat exhaustion : overheating due to
weather or exercise .
• Medication : drugs fever from antibiotics ,
anti- seizure drugs.
• Vaccinations : reaction to immunizations .
Symptoms Accompanying
Fever :
• Chills & Shivering
• Sweating
• Headache
• Muscle Aches
• Loss Of Appetite
• Dehydration
• Weakness
Diagnosing Fever

• Measuring body temperature : Oral , rectal ,

ear , forehead , underarm thermometers
• Identifying Symptoms : Observing
associated symptoms
• Medical history and examination :Doctor’s
assessment
Treating Fever :
• Medications :Acetaminophen , ibuprofen.
• Hydration :Drinking plenty of fluids.
• Rest :Allowing the body to recover.
• Cool environment :Lightweight clothing ,
cool compresses.
• When to seek medical help :Persistent
high fever , confusion , severe, headache ,
rash , breathing difficulty.
Preventing Fever
• Hygiene :Regular hand washing ,
avoiding close contact with sick
individuals
• Vaccinations : keeping up to date with
immunizations
• Healthy lifestyle :Balanced diet , regular
exercise , adequate sleep.
Pulse or Heart Rate
Definition :
It is a wave of blood created by the
contraction of the left ventricle of
the Heart.
Sites Of Pulse:
 Temporal : Used when radial is nor
accessible
 Carotid : Used in cardiac arrest
 Brachial : Measure BP
 Radial : Used for pulse rate assessment
 Femoral
 Popliteal : Determine leg circulation
 Posterior Tibilis : Determine foot circulation
 Dorsalis Pedis : Determine foot circulation
Characteristics :
1.Pulse Rate :
It is the number of pulse beats per minute
Normal rate is 72 to 80 beats
2. Rhythm :
It is the time intervals between pulse beats
3. Tension :
It is degree of compressibility and resistance of
the wall of artery
4. Volume/strength:
It is a force of blood felt at each beat
Factors Affecting the pulse :
 Age , sex , exercise , stature , emotions , fever.
 Blood pressure , drugs , disease condition , pain ,
anxiety , hemorrhage.
Purpose of taking pulse :
 To check abnormalities in rate , rhythm , volume.
 To monitor changes in health status of patient.
 To access response of heart to cardiac medication ,
blood volume & gas exchange.
 To determine number of heart beat per minute.
Procedure of taking pulse
1.Explain procedure :
To patient and check if the patient had been involved in
any activity .if so , allow the patient to rest for ten minutes
before taking pulse because activity can increase the pulse
rate.
2. Select the pulse site :
Usually radial pulse is selected.
3.Assist the patient :
To a comfortable position for radial pulse , keep the arm ,
resting over chest or on the side with palm facing
downward.
4.Palpate and check pulse:
 Place 2 to 3 fingers lightly over pulse site.
 Thumb is not used for assessing pulse as it has it’s
own pulse which can be mistaken for patient pulse
.
 Do not press artery with more force.
 After the getting regularly , count the pulse which
for one whole minute looking at the second hand
on the wrist watch.
 Assist client in returning to comfortable position.
Normal pulse per minute at various
age
Respiration
Definition :
Respiration also known as breathing rate , is
one of the vital signs and is defined as :
“The number
of breathes taken per minute , measured by
counting the number of times the chest rises or
falls in one minute.
Normal respiratory rates vary by
age :

 Newborn (0 – month) : 30-60 breaths per

minute
 Infants (1-12months ) : 20-40 breaths per
minute
 Children (1-12 years) : 15-25 breaths per
minutes
 Adults : 12-20 breaths per minutes
Respiration is an essential vital sign ,
as it indicates the body’s ability to take
in oxygen and expel carbon dioxide ,
which is necessary for proper cellular
function and overall health.
Diagram of human lungs
Blood pressure
Definition :
Blood pressure is the force exerted by
circulating blood on the walls of blood vessels,
measure in millimeters of mercury (mmHg).

It’s a vital sign that indicates the pressure in the

arteries as the heart pumps blood throughout
the body
 Blood pressure consist of two
components:
1.Systolic pressure:(upper number)
The highest pressure in the arteries when the heart
contract(beats)
2. Diastolic pressure (lower number)
The lowest pressure in the arteries when the heart
relaxes(between beats).
For example , a blood pressure reading of
120/80mmHg means :
Systolic pressure :120mmHg
Diastolic pressure : 80mmHg
The following equipment is commonly used to assist
with blood pressure measurement and management :
1.Sphygmomanometer :
A manual or automatic device used to measure
blood pressure , consisting of an inflatable cuff and
a pressure gauge.
2.Blood pressure monitor :
An electronic device that automatically measures
blood pressure , often with a digital display.
3. Stethoscope :
Stethoscope is used to listen to heart sounds and
blood flow to determine systolic and diastolic
pressures.

4. Blood pressure cuff :

An inflatable cuff wrapped around the upper arm,
to constrict blood flow , used with a
sphygmomanometer or blood pressure monitor.
5. Ambulatory blood pressure monitor :
A portable device worn over a 24- our period to
continuously monitor blood pressure

6. Smart blood pressure monitor:

Wireless – enabled devices that connect to smart
phones allowing for easy tracking & sharing of
blood pressure data.
7. Wrist blood pressure monitors:
Small portable devices that measure blood
pressure at the wrist , rather than the upper
arm .

8.Home blood pressure monitoring

device :
Various devices designed for personal use
at home , often compact & easy to use .
Pumping action of the heart :
When the pumping action of the heart is weak , less
blood is pumped into arteries “lower cardiac
output” and the blood pressure decreases.

Peripheral vascular resistance(PVR):

It refers to the opposition to blood flow in the
peripheral circulation , primarily in the small
arteries
& arterioles.
PVR is influenced by :
1. Blood vessel diameter (constriction or dilation )
2. Blood vessel length
3. blood viscosity
4. Elastic properties of blood vessels
5. Smooth muscle tone ( contraction & relaxation)

Increased PVR released to :

• Higher blood pressure
• Decreased blood flow to organs & tissues
• Increased cardiac workload
Decreased PVR lead to :
• Lower blood pressure
• Increased blood flow to organs & tissues
• Decreased cardiac workload

• PVR is an important factor in regulating blood

pressure & blood flow , changes in PVR can have
significant effects on cardiovascular health
Blood volume :
It refers to the total amount of fluid circulating within
the arteries , capillaries , veins , venules , and
chamber of the heart any time

Viscosity
It can be defined as the resistance of fluid against
flow
The resistance for blood circulation includes friction
between the blood elements & between the vessel ,
lumen and blood.
Several factors can influence blood pressure ,
Including :

1.Genetics : Family history & genetic predisposition

2.Age : Blood pressure tends to increase with age .
3.Gender : Men typically have high blood pressure than
women before pause .
4.Physical activity : Regular exercise can lower blood
pressure
5.Obesity : Excess weight can increase (BP)
6. Smoking : Tobacco use can raise (BP).
7.Stress : Acute & chronic stress can increase
( BP ).
8.Sleep : Insufficient sleep or disrupted pattern can
Raised (BP).
9.Diet : Consuming excessive sodium , processed
foods , & saturated fats can increase (BP).
10.Alcohol consumption : Excessive alcohol
consumption can raise (BP).
Hyper tension:
High blood pressure is when the pressure in your
blood vessels is to high (140/90mmHg)

Hypotension:
Lower blood pressure occurs when blood pressure
is much lower than normal
Normal blood pressure is mostly between 90/60
mmHg and 120/80 mmHg.