Medical assisting Administrative and clinical procedures (5e) Chapter 37 Vital signs and measurements
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CHAPTER
37
Vital Signs and
Measurements
37-2
Learning Outcomes (cont.)
37.1 Describe the five vital signs.
37.2 Identify various methods of taking a
patient’s temperature.
37.3 Describe the process of obtaining pulse
and respirations.
37-3
Learning Outcomes (cont.)
37.4 Carry out blood pressure
measurements.
37.5 Summarize orthostatic or postural vital
signs.
37.6 Illustrate various body measurements.
37-4
Introduction
• Vital signs
– Temperature
– Pulse
– Respirations
– Blood pressure
– Pain assessment
• Body
measurements
– Height
– Weight
– Head
circumference
Vital signs and body measurements are used
to evaluate health problems.
Accuracy is essential.
37-5
Vital Signs
• Provide information about patient’s overall
condition
• Taken at each visit
• Protected health information – HIPAA
37-6
Vital Signs (cont.)
• Include
– Temperature
– Pulse
– Respirations
– Blood pressure
– Pain assessment
• Standard range of
values
• Patient baseline
37-7
Vital Signs (cont.)
• Follow OSHA Guidelines
– Wash hands before and after patient contact
– Wear gloves as appropriate
– Dispose of waste appropriately
37-8
Apply Your Knowledge
Why is accuracy important when taking vital
signs?
ANSWER: Vital signs provide information
about how a patient will adjust to changes
within the body and environment. They may
also help the physician make a diagnosis.
Yahoo!
37-9
Temperature
• Febrile – elevated temperature
– Fever ~ sign of inflammation or infection
– Hyperpyrexia ~ extremely high temperature
• Afebrile ~ normal temperature
• Balance between heat produced and lost
37-10
Temperature (cont.)
Ear – tympanic
Mouth – oral
Temperature
Routes
Rectum - rectal
Axilla – axillary
Temporal Artery –
temporal
37-11
Temperature (cont.)
• Measurements
– Degrees Fahrenheit (ºF)
– Degrees Celsius (centigrade; ºC)
• Normal adult oral temperature
– 98.6 ºF
– 37.0 ºC
37-12
Electronic Digital Thermometers
• Electronic digital thermometer
• Tympanic thermometer
• Temporal scanner
37-13
Disposable Thermometers
• Single use
• Indicators change color
• Oral, axillary or skin temperature
measurements
• Not as accurate
37-14
Taking Temperatures
• Measure to nearest tenth of
a degree
• Oral temperatures
– Place under tongue in either
pocket just off-center in lower
jaw
– Wait at least 15 minutes after
eating, drinking, or smoking
Heat pockets
37-15
Taking Temperatures (cont.)
• Tympanic temperatures
– Proper technique
essential
– Fit in ear must be
snug
• Adult – pull ear up
and back
• Child – pull ear
down and back
37-16
Taking Temperatures (cont.)
• Rectal temperatures
– Use Standard Precautions
– Position patient on left side
– Slowly and gently insert tip
– Hold thermometer in place
37-17
Taking Temperatures (cont.)
• Axillary temperature
– Have patient sit or lie down
– Place tip in middle of axilla
– Probe must touch skin on all sides
37-18
Taking Temperatures (cont.)
• Temporal temperatures – stroke scanner
across forehead, crossing over the temporal
artery
37-19
Apply Your Knowledge
Correct!
You are about to take the temperature of a 6-month-old
infant being seen at the pediatrician’s office for
vomiting and diarrhea. Which route will you use and
why? What special considerations do you need to keep
in mind with this specific patient situation and why?
Answer: Route would be either tympanic or temporal
since a 6-month-old would not be able to hold the
thermometer under his/her tongue. If using the
tympanic thermometer remember to use proper
technique and pull the ear down and back. Use
Standard Precautions to prevent the spread of
microorganisms.
37-20
Pulse and Respiration
Circulatory
Pulse
Respiratory
Respirations
Pulse and respirations are related because the
heart and lungs work together.
Normally, an increase or decrease in one causes
the same effect on the other.
37-21
Pulse
• Indirect measurement of cardiac output
• Problems if pulse is
– Abnormally fast ~ tachycardia
– Slow ~ bardycardia
– Weak or irregular
37-22
Pulse (cont.)
• Measure at the radial artery
• Count for 1 minute
– Rhythm ~ regular or irregular
– Volume ~ weak, strong,
bounding
37-23
Pulse (cont.)
• Other locations to obtain pulse
– Brachial artery
– Apex of the heart – using a stethoscope
– Additional arterial sites
•
•
•
•
•
•
Temporal
Carotid
Femoral
Popliteal
Posterior tibial
Dorsalis pedis
37-24
Pulse (cont.)
• Electronic measurement devices
– Part of Blood pressure machine
– Pulse oximetry unit
• Attaches to finger,
nose or earlobe
• Infrared light measures
pulse and oxygen levels
37-25
Respiration
• Respiratory rate – indication of how well the
body provides oxygen to the tissues
• Check by watching, listening, or feeling
movement
• May use stethoscope
