2. The purposes for assessment of vital signs are :-
To assess the normal functioning of vital organs.
To assess the condition and progress made by the
patient.
To help in formulation of diagnosis, and assessment of
deviations in the physiological adaptation like –blood
depletion, over and under consumption of oxygen.
To assess the emotional status of the patient
3. The indications of vital signs are as fallows:-
On admission.
Any deviation in the health status.
Before and after surgical procedure.
Before and after invasive diagnostic procedure.
Before and after administration of any drug.
As a routine procedure to assess the health status of
the admitted patient
4. TYPES OF TEMPERATURE
CORE TEMPERATURE- it is the temperature of the
deep tissues of the body. E.g. cranium
thorax, abdominal and pelvic cavity. It is 37 degree c.
SURFACE TEMPERATURE-it is the temperature of the
skin, subcutaneous tissue and fat it can vary according
to environmental temperature
5. REGULATION OF BODY
TEMPERATURE
It is regulated due to three phenomena.
Neural control- hypothalamus is the main organ which
controls body temperature. impulses from hypothalamus
causes vaso dilatation and vaso constriction. This can also
be explained by following sub points.
Thermo genesis – it means chemical regulation
by production of heat in following ways
• Oxidation of food.
• Muscles activity.
• Hormonal effect.
• Sympathetic stimulation.
6. Thermolysis – it means regulation of body
temperature by heat loss .the heat is lost from the
body in following ways.
Radiation.
Conduction.
Convection.
Evaporation.
Some amount of heat is also lost from the
body through lungs, kidney and bowels.
7. Behavioral control- it involves the various act which
a person uses to maintain a comfortable body
temperature.e.g. changing clothing , sitting with arms
folded, turning of the fan , taking cold showers etc.
8. NORMAL TEMPERATURE-
In an healthy individual the body temperature
may vary between 97-99 degree f. the temperature
may slightly vary according to the site from where
it is taken.
Oral temperature- 98.6of
Rectal temperature- 99.6of
Axillary temperature- 97.6of
10. PYREX IA
PYREXIA CAN BE DEFINED AS
RISE IN BODY TEMPERATURE
ABOVE NORMAL(99.6-99 o F).
11. STAGES OF PYREXIA
1. ONSET OR INVASION.
2. FASTIGIUM OR
STADIUM.
3. DEFERVESCENCE OR
DECLINE.
12. TYPRS OF FEVER OR PYREXIA.
INTERMITTENT.
REMITTENT.
CONSTANT.
RELAPSING.
CRISIS.
LYSIS.
13. RANGES OF PYREXIA.
1. HYPOTHERMIA- BELOW95 0 F.
2. SUBNORMAL TEMPERATURE_ 95-98 0 F.
3. LOW PYREXIA –N 99-100 o F.
4. MODERATE PYREXIA – 100-103 o F.
5. HIGH PYREXIA- 103-105 o F.
6. HYPER PYREXIA – 105 o F AND ABOVE.
17. A DVA N TA G E S -
Most reliable.
D I S A DVA N TA G E -
Needs privacy.
Needs lubrication.
False if rectum is loaded.
In newborns it may lead to ulceration or perforation.
Not recommended by WHO as it causes damage and ulceration
to rectal mucus membrane.
C O N T R A I N D I C AT I O N S -
Rectal surgery, hemorrhoids.
Tumor and infection.
Traction patient.
WHO recommendations.
21. RATE
Rate is the number of beats per minute. it can range
from 70-80 beats per minute.
Common variation are:-
Tachycardia- pulse rate above 100 beats/ min.
Bradycardia- pulse rate below 60 beats / min.
Age, Sex , Exercise.
Pain, Anxiety.
Medication, Metabolism.
Hemorrhage.
Position.
22. RHYTHM
It is the pattern of pulse and pause between
them.
The variation due to rhythm are:-
Intermittent- occasionally missed pulse.
Irregular- variation in frequency.
Extra systole- premature contraction.
Sinus arrhythmia - pulse is rapid during inspiration
and slow during expiration.
Dicrotic pulse – sensation of double beat.
23. VOLUME
It refers to fullness of artery which
reflects the force of ventricular
contraction.
The variations due to volume are as fallows:-
Absent pulse- no pulsation is felt extreme pressure.
Water hammer pulse – it is a full volume pulse which
rapidly collapses due to aortic regurgitation.
Bounding – strong pulsation which does not disappear
with moderate pressure.
24. Thready – pulsation is not easily felt and
slightly pressure causes it to disappear.
Weak pulse – it is stronger than thready
pulse .
Pulses alternans – it has a regular rhythm
but with alternate , strong and weak volume.
Bigeminal pulse – it is an irregular in which
every other beat comes early.
Paradoxial pulse – pulse volume becomes
weak during inspiration.
25. TENSION AND EQUALITY
Tension –
It is the degree of compressibility of
an artery.
Equality –
Pulse on both sides should be
assessed , and compared the
characteristics of each side for equality.
26. SITES OF PULSE
The nine common sites of taking pulse are.
Temporal.
Carotid.
Apical.
Brachial.
Radial.
Femoral.
Poplitial.
Posterior tibial artery.
Dorsalis pedis.
28. CHARACTERISTICS OF RESPIRATION
Rate – it is the number of full respiration per
minute.
Depth of respiration – it can be assessed by
observing the movement in the chest wall in
informal respiration a person in hales about 500
ml of air and the diaphragm moves about 1 cm
down and ribs retract up wards about 1.2 to 2.5
cms.
Rhythm – normal breathing is irregular and in
interrupted.
29. COMMON TERMS
Bradypnea- rate of breathing less than 10 breaths/
min.
Tachypnea- rate of breathing greater than 20/ min.
Hyperpnea – inspiration are increased in depth
and rate.
Apnoea – respiration ceases for several seconds.
Hyperventilation – rate and depth of respiration
increases.
Hypo ventilation – rate and depth decreases.
30. Cheyne stroke respiration – respiration is irregular
, characterized by alternate periods of apnoea and
hyperventilation.
Kussmaul’s respiration – respirations are abnormally
deep but regular, rate is increased.
Dyspnoea – breathing is difficult and characterized by
increased effort ot exale and inhale.
Orthopnea – patient has difficulty in breathing unless
in upright position.
Biot’s respiration – condition of the central nervous
system causes shallow breathing interrupted by an
irregular period of apnea.
