Vital Signs are a group of physiological measurements used by health care professionals to assess the body’s functions. Vital Signs taking is an essential part of nursing care because it data obtained will be an integral part of the health care team’s provision of care.

Temperature

This provides a numeric value of the core body temperature. Thermoregulation is done by the anterior hypothalamus in humans and an increase or decrease in temperature may hold a significant meaning.

Normal human body temperature is other wise known as Normothermia or Euthermia, is a concept that depends upon the place in the body at which the measurement is made.

Equipments used in Temperature Taking

Two Types:
• Mercury Glass Thermometer – A Calibration is present in the body of thermometer to provide the temperature reading as the mercury rises.
• Alcohol Glass Thermometer – Is less toxic and evaporates quickly.
Cleaning of Glass Thermometers

Before use : Bulb to other end. After use : End to bulb.

Disadvantages of Glass Thermometers:

There is a risk of injury from cracking the thermometer if too much force is applied by the teeth to hold them in place and the alcohol or mercury contents are poisonous.

Electronic thermometers are made of plastic and use a solid metal (thermocouple) sensor.

Plastic thermometer strips are placed on a local area and gives an approximate local reading, that depends to a great extent on ambient air temperature and local circulation effects. Using a thermometer to record the temperature under the armpit is less affected by surrounding air temperature, but is still prone to diverge from true core temperature if there are alterations in blood circulation.

Has become readily available. It is thought that the eardrum closely mirrors core temperature values. The tympanic thermometer work by detecting the infrared heat emission from the tympanic membrane and a measurement is quickly taken within one second making them popular for use with children.

Heart Rate or Pulse Rate

Is the measure of the number of heart beats per minute. It is obtained by placing two fingers (forefinger and middle finger) on one of the common pulse sites. (Apical, Brachial, Carotid, Dorsalis Pedis, Femoral, Popliteal, Posterior Tibialis, Radial, Temporal, and Ulnar).

Respiration

It is the measure of the number of respiration or breaths per minute. Can be obtained with the fingers used to palpate on the pulse still on place, counting the rise and fall cycle of the chest as one and so on.

Blood Pressure

Is the pressure (force per unit area) exerted by circulating blood on the walls of blood vessels. It is obtained by the use of a Sphygmomanometer by listening for the Korotkoff sound. The first sound heard is the Systolic and the cessation of sound is the Diastolic.

Nursing Considerations:

Never perform a BP on an arm with a dialysis shunt, injury or same side mastectomy or axilla surgery. Avoid arms with IV(Intravenous)/VAD (Vascular Access Device) if possible.

Normal Range for an Adult

• Heart Rate: 60-100 bpm
• Respiratory Rate: 12-20 cpm
• Systolic Blood Pressure: 95-130 mmHg
• Diastolic Blood PRessure: 60-90 mmHg
• Temperature:
  • Tympanic: 37°C – 38.1°C
  • Oral: 36.4°C – 37.6°C. Oral temperatures are influenced by drinking, eating and breathing.
  • Rectal: 37°C – 38.1°C. Rectal temperatures lag behind changes in core body temperature and there is a risk of cross-contamination.
  • Axillary: 35.9°C – 37°C. Is not always reliable indicators of core body temperature, especially during those critical times when core body temperature is increasing or decreasing.