What are Vital Signs?
Vital signs are the basic indicator of the client's
physiological status or health status. Vital signs are a basic component of the
assessment of the physiological health status of a client.
The vital signs are also termed "cardinal signs" (TPR and BP).
Vital signs are measurements of the body’s basic functions. Vital
signs include body temperature, pulse rate, respiration rate, and blood
pressure, abbreviated as BT, BP, HR, and RR. These are the indicator of the health status of a client.
If any kind of abnormality occurs in
the body, vital signs change immediately.
Types of Vital Signs
There are four main vital signs -
1. Body Temperature
Read here normal temperatures for adults and sites
to measure temperatures.
2. Pulse Rate (heart rate)
Know the normal
pulse rate by age.
3. Respiratory Rate (Breathing Rate)
Check here normal
respiratory rate by age.
4. Blood Pressure (BP)
Know the blood
pressure range in adults.
Other Important Vital Signs-
1. Pain
Measured on a 0-10 pain scale.
2. Oxygen saturation
Measured by pulse oximetry.
Purpose of Assessing Vital Signs
Vital signs are an objective measurement, useful for-
1. Determine the change in client status
2. Recognize variation from normal
3. Identify the specific life-threatening condition
4. Detect changes in client health status
5. Help in the diagnosis of disease, in response to
treatment
6. Measurement for the essential physiological functions
7. Obtain baseline data about the patient condition
8. Baseline on admission to a hospital
9. Diagnostic purpose
10. Therapeutic purpose
Normal Vital Signs Values in Adults
|
Body temperature - 98.6°F or 37°C Pulse rate - 72
beats/minute in Adult Respiration rate (rate
of breathing) - 16 breaths/minute in Adult Blood pressure - 120/80
mm of Hg |
When to take Vital Signs
1. On admission of the patient.
2. According to the physician's order.
3. According to clinical standard of practice or
Hospital policy.
4. Before surgery and after surgery or any invasive
diagnostic procedure.
5. Before and after administration of medication or therapy
that affect cardiovascular, respiratory, and temperature control function.
6. When the client's general physical condition changes for
example when LOC (Loss of consciousness), pain occurs.
7. Assessing the client during home health visits.
8. Before, after, and during nursing interventions that
influence vital signs.
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