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