Transcript Document

VITAL SIGNS
GUIDELINES FOR MEASURING
VITAL SIGNS
 Establish
a baseline for future
assessments.
 Be able to understand and interpret
values.
 Appropriately delegate measurement.
 Communicate findings.
 Ensure equipment is in working order.
 Accurately document findings.
CIRCULATORY NEEDS
Circulation
is monitored
through assessment of Vital
Signs along with other
collected data.
The
patient’s physiological
status is reflected by their
vital signs.
VITAL SIGNS:TPR AND BP
 Signs
of Vitality and Life
 Deviations from normal ranges
can indicate in health status.
 TPR & BP = VS
 T-temperature
 P-pulse
 R-respirations
 BP- blood pressure
 VS-vital signs
CNS REGULATES VS
 Hypothalamus:
Controls
temperature
 Anterior
Hypothalamus Dissipation of heat
 Posterior
Hypothalamusconservation of heat
 Medulla:
 Vasomotor
center
controls BP through
vasoconstriction or
vasodilation
 Cardiac center
controls pulse
 Respiratory center
controls respirations
(rate and depth)
RELATIONSHIP BETWEEN VS
R
= 1/4 P
R
20 = P 80
P
= diastolic BP
P
80 = 120/80
T
increases =
an increase in
P R and BP
FACTORS INFLUENCING VS
Age
Gender
Race
Diet
Weight
Heredity
Medications
Activity
MORE FACTORS INFLUENCING VS
Pain
Hormones
Stress
Emotions
Circadian
Rhythms
GUIDELINES FOR ASSESSING VS
Systematic
Normal
Range
Baseline
Recheck
Client
Norm
Treatments
Monitor prn
HEAT PRODUCTION
By
product of metabolism
B.M.R.- Basal Metabolic Rate
Muscle activity
Exposure to increased
temperature
Hormones: Thyroxine,
Epinephrine
HEAT LOSS (TRANSFER)
Conduction - direct
transfer of heat by contact
HEAT LOSS-CONVECTION
Heat
dissemination
via motion. A fan
blows warm air
across a warm
body.
HEAT LOSS-RADIATION
Heat
given off by
rays from the
body. Heat loss
from an
uncovered head.
Main form of
heat loss.
HEAT LOSS-EVAPORATION
Conversion
of a
liquid to a
vapor.
Perspiration
vaporizes from
the skin.
Diaphoresis
????WHAT ARE SOME OTHER WAYS
HEAT IS LOST FROM BODY???
URINE
FECES
RESPIRATIONS
FEVER
FEVER PATTERNS
Intermittent
Remittent
Constant
Relapsing
?? FEVER TERMINOLOGY ??
WHICH TERM CAN BE USED TO DESCRIBE A
FEVER THAT:
 Is
constantly elevated with little fluctuation
 CONSTANT
 Fluctuates but does not come down to normal
 REMITTANT
 Returns to normal for a day or two, but then
goes up again
 RELAPSING
 Alternates between normal and fever
 INTERMITTANT
S/S OF FEVER
Loss
of appetite
Headache
Dehydration
Delirium
Seizures
Thirst
face
?????
Rapid pulse
Decreased urinary output
(OLIGURIA)
Flushed
TEMPERATURE RANGES
Oral-

96.8 – 100.4 F
98.6 = average norm
Axillary-
approximately 1
degree lower
Rectal- approximately
1 degree higher
ASSESSING TEMPERATURE
Glass
Electronic
Tympanic
Tape/Patch
Disposable
(ie: Clinidot)
ORAL TEMPERATURE
Most common site
 Place against sublingual artery
 Contraindicated in oral surgery/infection
 Wait 15 min. if pt. ate/drank
smoked
 Electronic- blue probe

or
AXILLARY TEMPERATURE
Preferred
for children under 6 yrs.
routinely used on infants.
Place
in center of axilla against
artery off the subclavian.
RECTAL TEMPERATURE
Last
resort for assessing
temperature
Place against inferior rectal artery
Contraindicated rectal
surgery/cardiac pt.
Lubricate thermometers
(CONTINUED) RECTAL TEMPERATURE
Electronic
thermometers:
Red Probe only
 Insert : ½ - 1 inch adult
¼ - 1/2 inch child

Left
position is best
??? NURSING DIAGNOSES ???
HYPERTHERMIA
HYPOTHERMIA
RISK
FOR
IMBALANCED BODY
TEMPERATURE
NURSING INTERVENTIONS TEMPERATURE
 Check
VS
frequently
 Assess skin
 Note change in
LOC
 Seizure
precautions ?
 Monitor I & O
 REDUCE
COVERINGS
 Encourage
fluids
 Tepid baths
 Administer
antipyretics
 Promote comfort
& REST
 Hypothermia
blanket
NURSING INTERVENTIONS TEMPERATURE
 Check
 Assess
 Note
VS frequently
skin
change in LOC
 Seizure
 Monitor
precautions ?
I&O
 REDUCE
COVERINGS
HYPOTHERMIA
Mild
(93.2 – 96.8 F)
Moderate
Severe
(86.0-93.2 F)
( below 86.0 F)
EVALUATIONS-TEMPERATURE
Is
patient afebrile?
Are
interventions working? i.e.
cool compresses, tepid bath,
antipyretics?
S/S
of infection present?
Nurse’s Notes
5/31/02
4:15pm Reports headache, feeling “on fire”,
face flushed, skin warm, T-104.6 A P-100
R- 20 BP- 150/80. Dr. Arrid notified.
Tylenol 650mg po administered as per
telephone order. Fluids encouraged, tepid
bath given. S.Niggemeier RN---------------------------4:45pm T-102.2 A P- 88 R-18 BP 130/78
taking fluids, feels “better than before”.
S.Niggemeier RN-----------------------------
PULSE-PHYSIOLOGY
 SA
node- creates electrical impulses
causing contraction of atria.
 A wave of blood is pumped into the
arteries.
 Throbbing sensation is felt - Pulse
 Pulse rate should = the heart rate
 Pulse rate is the number of pulsations
felt in a minute.
 Pulse usually = diastolic pressure
PULSE RATES
Newborn
120-150
Infant 80-140
Child 75-110
Adult 60-100
Pulse rates ????? as age increases
CARDIAC OUTPUT CO=SV X HR
 Cardiac
output
(CO) is the amount
of blood
pumped/min by the
heart and =
approximately
5000ml or 5L/min
 Stroke Volume (SV)
is the amount of
blood ejected from
the L ventricle with
each contraction.
 Heart
rate (HR) is
the number of times
the heart contracts.
 Inversely relatedwhen SV goes up the
HR goes down.
?? CARDIAC OUTPUT ??
CV (5000) = SV(70) X HR
 In
the above equation, what would the client’s
heart rate be?
 APPROXIMATELY 71 BPM
 If a client had a weak heart (ie:CHF) that was
only able to eject a SV of 50, what would
happen to the client’s HR?
 IT WOULD RAISE TO 100 BPM
 If a client had a well-conditioned heart muscle
(ie: athlete) that was able to eject a SV of 100,
what would their HR be?
 IT WOULD DECREASE TO 50 BPM
PULSE SITES
 Temporal
 Carotid
 Apical
 Brachial
 Radial
 Femoral
 Popliteal
 Dorsalis
Pedis
 Posterior Tibia
PULSE ASSESSMENT
 Rate
-number of
beats /min
 Rhythm- pattern of
the rate. Regular or
Irregular. Count
irregular rhythm for
1 min.
 Quality- strength of
the pulse 0-4+
PULSE - QUALITY SCALE
 4+
bounding very strong, does not
disappear with moderate pressure
 3+ normal, easily felt,
 2+ weak, light pressure causes it to
disappear
 1+ thready, not easily felt,
disappears with slight pressure
 0- no pulse
??? NURSING DIAGNOSES
Decreased
cardiac output
Ineffective
tissue perfusion
Activity
intolerance
NURSING INTERVENTIONS-PULSE
Monitor
Note
for symmetry
pulse deficit
Promote
circulation – i.e. massage
EVALUATIONS
Is
pulse with normal range?
All
pulses present
Equally
Are
Bilateral?
interventions to promote circulation
working? i.e. massage
TERMINOLOGY
 Bradycardia-
HR below 60/min
 Tachycardia-
HR above 100/min
 Sinus
Arrhythmia- HR increases on inspiration
and decreases on exhalation common in children
and young adults
TERMINOLOGY
 Dysrhythmia-
abnormal rhythm
 Palpitation-aware
of your HR without feeling for
it…usually rapid
 Pulse
deficit- difference between apical and radial
pulses Apical-100 Radial-80 then the Pulse deficit
is 20
PULSE DOCUMENTATION
23/11/2010 1:20am : palpitations. P-96 reg 3+.
 No pulse deficit.------------------S.Niggemeier RN

RESPIRATIONS PHYSIOLOGY
Process whereby CO2 and O2 are
exchanged in the tissues.
Oxygenation of the body
CO2 is the stimulus for breathing
Inspiration - breathing in
Diaphragm contracts – pulls down
Expiration- breathing out
Diaphragm relaxes – moves up
Normal Tidal Volume = 500 ml
RESPIRATION RATES
Newborn 40-60/min
 Child 20-30
 School age 18-26
 Adult 16-20
 Respirations decrease as
age increases

ASSESSING RESPIRATORY
STATUS

Oxygenation status

Neurological state

Musculoskeletal status
OXYGENATION STATUS
Note
S/S of hypoxia (oxygen
deprivation
Cyanosis - bluish tinge caused by
decrease in O2 in RBC.
Cyanosis is assessed by checking
the mucous membranes of the
conjunctiva (lower eyelids), under
the tongue and inside the
mouth..should be pink not pale or
bluish
??OTHER SIGNS OF DYSPNEA??
ANXIOUS LOOK
 FLARED NOSTRILS
 USE OF ACCESSORY MUSCLES
 INTERCOSTAL RETRACTIONS

NEUROLOGICAL STATE
Hypoxia
results in neurological
changes
alert
 becomes anxious
 then irritable
 progresses to drowsiness
 eventually a coma

MUSCULOSKELETAL STATUS
Abnormalities
that prevent the
thorax from expanding result in
hindered respirations
Scoliosis
Lordosis
Pectus excavatum
Kyphosis
Pectus carinatum
RESPIRATORY ASSESSMENT
Rate-
number of
breaths/min
Rhythm
- even,
Quality-
deep,
labored
shallow
PULSE OXIMETRY
Indirect measurement of arterial oxygen
saturation of hemoglobin
 95% - 100% normal range
 Below 90% = hypoxia
 Factors that interfere with accurate
measurement: dark nail polish,
anemia,vasoconstriction (PVD, hypothermia),
carbon monoxide poisoning, movement, excessive
background light, tight probe

?? NURSING DIAGNOSES??
Impaired gas exchange
 Ineffective airway clearance
 Ineffective breathing pattern
 Risk for aspiration

RESPIRATORY CONSIDERATIONS
 Age
 Meds
 Gender
 Neurological
 Pain
 Illnesses
 Anxiety
 Impaired
 Smoking
 Body
Position
injury
O2
carrying capacity of
the blood
eg. anemia
NURSING INTERVENTIONSRESPIRATIONS
Elevate
HOB (head of the
bed)
Promote calm atmosphere
Administer oxygen as needed
Relaxation techniques
EVALUATION- RESPIRATORY
Rate
within normal range?
SOB?
Dyspnea?
Breathing less labored?
Less cyanotic?
TERMINOLOGY
Apnea
Adventitious
sounds
Rales/crackles
Gurgles /rhonchi
Stertor
Wheeze
Cheyne-Stokes
TERMINOLOGY
Bradypnea
Dyspnea
Hyperinflation
Hypoxia
Orthopnea
Tachypnea
Documentation
5/30/02 Reports dyspnea. R = 24,
labored , shallow. HOB elevated. Dry
crackles auscultated bilaterally. Dr. C.
Stokes notified. O2 2L via NC applied.
S. Niggemeier RN------------------------
BLOOD PRESSURE -PHYSIOLOGY
Blood pressure is the force against the arterial
walls.
 Maximum BP is achieved when the Left ventricle
contracts - Systolic pressure
 Lowest BP is when the heart rests - Diastolic
pressure
 Pulse pressure is the difference between the
Systolic and Diastolic pressures BP 140/90 PP
(pulse pressure) = 50

Maintaining and Regulating Blood
Pressure
Peripheral Resistance
Pumping Action of heart (Cardiac Output)
Blood volume
Viscosity of blood
Elasticity of vessel walls
Hormonal factors: renin, aldosterone
HYPERTENSION
 Elevated
BP above
normal for sustained
time
 Unknown cause primary or essential
hypertension
 Known causesecondary
hypertension
 3 or more elevated
readings to confirm
DX
HYPERTENSION
 Normal
Blood
Pressure < 120/80
 Stage
1
Systolic 140-159
Diastolic 90-99
 Prehypertension
Systolic 120-139
Diastolic 80-89
 Stage
2
Systolic >160
Diastolic >100
HYPOTENSION
Low BP - systolic of 90 or below
 Can be drug induced or illness
related (MI, burns, blood loss)
 Orthostatic (Postural) Hypotension
–drop in BP when rising to an erect
position, common after periods of
bed rest

TERMINOLOGY
Auscultatory
Gap
Diastolic
Korotkoff
sounds
Pulse Pressure
Systolic
DIRECT BP MEASUREMENT
Measure
BP by
means of inserting a
catheter (arterial
line) into an artery
and measure by
machine
Used in critical care
INDIRECT BP MEASUREMENT
Auscultating with
stethoscope and
sphygmomanometer
 Palpating- feeling for an
estimated systolic
 Doppler amplifies Korotkoff
sounds
 Electronic meters- monitor
BP with no need for
stethoscope

SPHYGMOMANOMETERS


Aneroid-measures
mmHg on calibrated
dial
Mercury - measures
mmHg via mercury filled
cylinder (no longer used
due to mercury
hazardous material)
CUFF SIZES
STETHOSCOPE USE
 Vary in size
 Use either bell or
 Must use
diaphragm to
appropriate size for
auscultate sounds
pt.
 Make sure ear tips
 Pedi cuff, small,
block out noise
medium, large etc..
 Clean after each
 Thigh cuffs
use with alcohol
pads
AUGMENT KOROTKOFF SOUNDS
Raise
arm over head for 15 sec prior
to retaking BP
Have pt. open/close hands - empties
veins
Pump bulb up quickly
Wait 30-60 sec between readings
Don’t reinflate cuff once air is being
released it muffles sounds
BRACHIAL
Use
either arm
Preferred site
Easy access
POPLITEAL
Use
either thigh
Less preferred
Difficult to
access
Systolic pressure
will be 10-40
mmHg higher
than brachial
BP BY PALPATION
 Cuff
is inflated 30mmHg above the
point where pulse is no longer
palpated.
 Release
cuff and as air is releasing
feel for return of pulse …that is the
systolic
 No
stethoscope is used.
 No diastolic pressure can be assessed
NURSING INTERVENTIONS- BLOOD
PRESSURE
 Be
seated, feet flat, arm at heart level
 Monitor BP trends
 Pt not to smoke or drink caffeine 30
min prior to measurement
 Rest for 5 min before measurement
 Administer antihypertensives as
ordered
 Teaching - i.e. diet, exercise, stress, etc.
EVALUATION –BLOOD PRESSURE
B/P
within normal range?
C/O headaches or other s/s
Teachings regarding diet, weight,
exercise, stress etc being followed?
WHAT AFFECTS BLOOD PRESSURE?
Age
 Circadian rhythms
 Stress
 Ethnicity
 Gender
 Meds
 Exercise

TERMINOLOGY
A/R-
apical radial
FUO - fever unknown origin
PP -pulse pressure
SOB - short of breath
VS- vital signs
?? DOCUMENTATION OF VS ??
On what type of chart form are vital signs
usually documented?
GRAPHIC FLOW SHEET