Temperature, pulse, respiration, blood pressure (BP), and oxygen saturation, are measurements that indicate a person’s hemodynamic status. These are the five vital signs most frequently obtained by health care practitioners (Perry, Potter, & Ostendorf, 2014). Vital signs will potentially reveal sudden changes in a patient’s condition and will also measure changes that occur progressively over time. A difference between patients’ normal baseline vital signs and their present vital signs may indicate the need for intervention (Perry et al., 2014). Checklist 15 outlines the steps to take when checking vital signs.

1. VITAL SIGNS MONITORING
Dr. Anjalatchi Muthukumaran
Vice principal
Era College of Nursing

2. Definition
These are indices of health, or signposts in
determining client’s condition. This is also known as
cardinal signs and it includes body temperature,
pulse, respirations, and blood pressure. These signs
have to be looked at in total, to monitor the
functions of the bod

3. Different considerations in taking Vital signs
The frequency of taking TPR and BP depends upon
the condition of the client and the policy of the
institution.
The procedure should be explained to the client
before taking his TPR and BP.
Obtain baseline data.

4. body temperature?
 The normal body temperature of a person varies depending
on gender, recent activity, food and fluid consumption, time
of day, and, in women, the stage of the menstrual cycle.
 Normal body temperature can range from 97.8 degrees F (or
Fahrenheit, equivalent to 36.5 degrees C, or Celsius) to 99
degrees F (37.2 degrees C) for a healthy adult. A person's
body temperature can be taken in any of the following ways:

5.  Orally. Temperature can be taken by mouth using either the classic glass thermometer, or the
more modern digital thermometers that use an electronic probe to measure body
temperature.
 Rectally. Temperatures taken rectally (using a glass or digital thermometer) tend to be 0.5 to
0.7 degrees F higher than when taken by mouth.
 Axillary. Temperatures can be taken under the arm using a glass or digital thermometer.
Temperatures taken by this route tend to be 0.3 to 0.4 degrees F lower than those
temperatures taken by mouth.
 By ear. A special thermometer can quickly measure the temperature of the ear drum, which
reflects the body's core temperature (the temperature of the internal organs).
 By skin. A special thermometer can quickly measure the temperature of the skin on the
forehead.

6. Vital Signs or Cardinal Signs are:
 Body temperature
 Pulse
 Respiration
 Blood pressure
 Pain

7. Body Temperature
The balance between the heat produced by the body
and the heat loss from the body.
Types of Body Temperature
Core temperature –temperature of the deep tissues
of the body.
Surface body temperature

8. Normal Adult Temperature Ranges
Oral 36.5 –37.5 ºC
Axillary 35.8 – 37.0 ºC
Rectal 37.0 – 38.1 ºC
Tympanic 36.8 – 37.9ºC

9. Methods of Temperature-Taking
 I. Oral – most accessible and convenient method.
 Put on gloves, and position the tip of the thermometer under the
patients tongue on either of the frenulun as far back as possible. It
promotes contact to the superficial blood vessels and ensures a more
accurate reading.
 Wash thermometer before use.
 Take oral temp 2-3 minutes.
 Allow 15 min to elapse between client’s food intakes of hot or cold
food, smoking.
 Instruct the patient to close his lips but not to bite down with his teeth
to avoid breaking the thermometer in his mouth.

10. Nursing Interventions in Clients with Fever
 Monitor V.S
 Assess skin color and temperature
 Monitor WBC, Hct and other pertinent lab records
 Provide adequate foods and fluids.
 Promote rest
 Monitor I & O
 Provide TSB
 Provide dry clothing and linens
 Give antipyretic as ordered by MD

11. Pulse
 This is a wave of blood created by contraction of the left ventricle of the heart. The
heart is a pulsating pump, and the blood enters the arteries with each heartbeat,
causing pressure pulses or pulse waves. Generally, the pulse wave represents the
stroke volume and the compliance of the arteries.
 Stroke volume is the amount of blood that enters the arteries with each
contraction in a healthy adult.
 Compliance of the arteries is their ability to contract and expand. When a person’s
arteries lose their distensibility, greater pressure is required to pump the blood
into the arteries.
 Peripheral pulse is the pulse located in the periphery of the body, for example in
the foot, hand and neck. Apical pulse is a central pulse. It is located at the apex of
the heart.

12. How to check your pulse
 As the heart forces blood through the arteries, you feel the beats by firmly pressing
on the arteries, which are located close to the surface of the skin at certain points
of the body. The pulse can be found on the side of the neck, on the inside of the
elbow, or at the wrist. For most people, it is easiest to take the pulse at the wrist. If
you use the lower neck, be sure not to press too hard, and never press on the
pulses on both sides of the lower neck at the same time to prevent blocking blood
flow to the brain. When taking your pulse:
 Using the first and second fingertips, press firmly but gently on the arteries until
you feel a pulse.
 Begin counting the pulse when the clock's second hand is on the 12.
 Count your pulse for 60 seconds (or for 15 seconds and then multiply by four to
calculate beats per minute).
 When counting, do not watch the clock continuously, but concentrate on the beats
of the pulse.

13. Normal Pulse rate
1 year 80-140 beats/min
2 years 80- 130 beats/min
6 years 75- 120 beats/min
10 years 60-90 beats/min
Adult 60-100 beats/min

15. Respiration
Is the exchange of oxygen and carbon dioxide
between the atmosphere and the body
The respiration rate is the number of breaths a person
takes per minute. The rate is usually measured when a
person is at rest and simply involves counting the number
of breaths for one minute by counting how many times the
chest rises. Respiration rates may increase with fever,
illness, and other medical conditions. When checking
respiration, it is important to also note whether a person
has any difficulty breathing.

16. Assessing Respiration
 Rate – Normal 14-20/ min in adult
 The best time to assess respiration is immediately after taking client’s pulse
 Count respiration for 60 second
 As you count the respiration, assess and record breath sound as stridor, wheezing, or
stertor.
 Respiratory rates of less than 10 or more than 40 are usually considered abnormal and
should be reported immediately to the physician.
 Resting respirations should be assessed when the client is at rest because exercise
affects respirations, and increase their rate and depth as well. Respiration may also need
to be assessed after exercise to identify the client’s tolerance to activity. Before
assessing a client’s respirations, a nurse should be aware of:
 The client’s normal breathing pattern.
 The influence of the client’s health problems on respirations.
 Any medications or therapies that might affect respirations.
 The relationship of the client’s respirations to cardiovascular function.

17. Blood Pressure
 This is the force exerted by the blood against a vessel wall.
Arterial blood pressure is a measure of the pressure exerted
by the blood as it flows through the arties. There are two
blood pressure measures:
 Systolic pressure. This is the pressure of the blood because of
contraction of the ventricles, which is the height of the blood
wave.
 Diastolic pressure. This is the pressure when the ventricles are
at rest. It is the lower pressure present at all times within the
arteries.

18. NORMAL BLOOD PRESSURE
 Adult – 90- 132 systolic
60- 85 diastolic
Elderly– 140-160 systolic
70-90 diastolic
Blood pressure is the force of the
blood pushing against the artery
walls during contraction and
relaxation of the heart. Each time
the heart beats, it pumps blood
into the arteries, resulting in the
highest blood pressure as the
heart contracts. When the heart
relaxes, the blood pressure falls.

19.  High blood pressure, or hypertension, directly increases the risk of heart attack, heart failure, and
stroke. With high blood pressure, the arteries may have an increased resistance against the flow of
blood, causing the heart to pump harder to circulate the blood.
 Blood pressure is categorized as normal, elevated, or stage 1 or stage 2 high blood pressure:
 Normal blood pressure is systolic of less than 120 and diastolic of less than 80 (120/80)
 Elevated blood pressure is systolic of 120 to 129 and diastolic less than 80
 Stage 1 high blood pressure is systolic is 130 to 139 or diastolic between 80 to 89
 Stage 2 high blood pressure is when systolic is 140 or higher or the diastolic is 90 or higher

20. VITAL SIGNS TRAY
 A tray containing

21. Necessary Equipment for Taking Vital Signs
vital sign trays
 Typically, the supplies for taking vital signs include the following items:
 Thermometers-to check the temperature
 Stethoscopes-to listen body sounds
 Blood Pressure Devices-to check the blood pressure
 Combo Kits (Stethoscope + Blood Pressure)-
 Pulse Oximetry-to check the pulse rate and saturation
 Electrocardiogram (ECG)-to check the ECG rythem
 Penlights-to visualize the physical parts while examine
 Spirit /chlorohexidine gluconate- to disinfect the devices
 Cotton pack/bowl- to keep the dry cotton
 Kidney tray –to discard the wet waste
 Paper bags- to collect dry waste
 Watch – to monitor the vital sign

22. Preparation of the patients
 Explain procedure to the patients
 get inform consents
 Tell the clients not to drink hot or cold , eat smoke, chew the petal
leaves 15 min prior to the procedure
 Provide privacy
 Place the client comfortable position
 Ensure proper ventilation
 Stand at patients right side
 Arrange the article ready

23. PROCEDURE
 Taking Vital Signs Steps
 Here are the general guidelines you should follow:
 Pulse
 Wash your hands thoroughly.
 Ensure that your patient is relaxed before you begin.
 Use the radial artery to find their pulse. You can find it on the inside
of their wrist (closest to their thumb).
 Place your first and second fingertips—not your thumb—in a firm yet
gentle manner on the patient’s wrist.
 Look at a clock or watch and wait for the second hand to hit the 12.
 Start counting the beats of their pulse.
 Count the patient’s pulse for 60 seconds or until the second-hand
returns to the 12.
 While counting, remember not to watch the clock constantly but
instead concentrate on your patient’s pulse beats.

24.  Respiration Rate
 Wash your hands thoroughly.
 Put your fingers on the patient’s wrist (either side is fine).
 Count their breaths for one minute. Keep in mind that an inhale plus an
exhale equals one respiration.
 Document their respiration rate. Include any relevant observations,
such as wheezing, agitation, etc.
 Temperature / Digital Thermometer
 Wash your hands thoroughly.
 Encase the thermometer mouth tip with a sanitary plastic shield.
 Press the button to turn on the thermometer.
 Put the thermometer under your patient’s tongue and ask them to
keep their mouth closed.
 Remove the thermometer after it beeps to signal completion.
 Record their temperature, including necessary information like the
date, time, and method used.
 Always clean and sterilize the thermometer.

25.  Blood Pressure / Stethoscope, Cuff, or Aneroid Monitor
 Wash your hands thoroughly.
 Disinfect the stethoscope.
 Ensure that the blood pressure monitor is working correctly.
 Place your fingers on the underside of the patient’s elbow to locate their pulse
(referred to as the brachial pulse).
 Wrap the deflated cuff snugly around the patient’s upper arm. This should be at
least one inch above where you detected the brachial pulse.
 Place the stethoscope earpieces in your ears and put the diaphragm (disk) over the
brachial pulse.
 Twist the knob on the air pump clockwise to close the valve.
 Pump air and inflate the cuff until the dial pointer hits 170.
 Turn the knob on the air pump counterclockwise so that you can open the valve to
deflate the cuff.
 When the dial pointer falls, closely observe the number and listen for a thumping
sound.
 Record the number displayed as the first thump is heard (systolic pressure).
 Record the number displayed as the last thump is heard (diastolic pressure).
 Deflate and remove the cuff from the patient.
 Document these results and include any unusual observations.

26. AFTER CARE

27. RECORDIONG/ REPORTING
 Record the vital sign observed from the patient
 Temp-98.6F
 Pulse rate -78 beats/mt
 Respiration rate-24 breath /mt
 Blood pressure – 130/80 mmofHg
 Saturation -98%
 With date--------------------time------------------sign---------------

28. THANKYOU