HICKS Vital Signs Body Temperature and Blood Pressure Machine Instructions
- June 5, 2024
- HICKS
Table of Contents
HICKS Vital Signs Body Temperature and Blood Pressure Machine Instructions
Includes: Worksheets and Quizzes
Vital signs include temperature, pulse, respiration, and blood pressure (TPR &
BP). Vital signs tell the status of the body’s essential functions. Vital
signs help to monitor and detect medical problems.
Anatomy of a Stethoscope
TEMPERATURE
Normal body temperature varies among individuals, however, there is a “normal range” that is used to indicate if a patient is febrile (has an elevated temperature) or is afebrile (does not have an elevated temperature).
Normal body temperature can range from 97ºF to 99ºF.
Body temperature can vary depending on individual differences, time of day, activity level, body sites and age groups.
A body temperature above 99ºF may indicate an infection.
Hyperthermia refers to an excessive increase in body temperature. The body temperature may be over 105ºF. This can be a life threatening situation if not treated promptly.
Hypothermia occurs when the core body temperature is below 95ºF. This can be a life threatening situation if not treated promptly.
Any thermometer designated for rectal use should be marked in red and not be used for any other route.
Before checking an oral temperature, ask the patient: “Have you had anything to eat or drink, or did you smoke or chew gum in the past 15 minutes?” If they say, “Yes,” wait 20 minutes before checking the oral temperature.
When checking a rectal temperature:
Wear gloves.
Use the specified rectal thermometer.
Once pt is positioned, hold the thermometer in place with one hand and keep
the other hand on the pt to prevent movement.
Record your findings. Report any unusual findings to your supervisor.
PULSE
The beat of the heart creates two sounds – “lub” and “dub.” Each lub-dub sound counts as 1 heartbeat. The sounds occur when the heart valves open and close to let blood flow through the heart.
The pulse is felt (palpated) with fingertips or heard (auscultated) at the apex of the heart, with a stethoscope. It is palpated with the fingertips of the index and middle fingers at the other pulse sites.
The apical site is listened to (auscultated) at the apex location of the heart, with a stethoscope.
Pulse is the pressure of the blood exerted against the walls of arteries as the heart contracts and relaxes. Each contraction and relaxation is 1 heartbeat. The contraction phase is the systolic blood pressure (SBP) and the relaxation phase is the diastolic blood pressure (DBP). Blood pressure will be covered shortly.
Pulse is recorded as beats per minute (BPM) and the rhythm and volume of the beats are also assessed at the same time.
Pulse Rate Ranges (normal):
Bradycardia is a pulse rate under 60 BPM
Tachycardia is a pulse rate over 100 BPM (except in children)
The radial pulse is the most convenient and most common place to check a pulse. You can count the beats for 1 full minute and get the beats per minute (BPM), or you can count the beats for 30 seconds and multiply that number by 2 and get the BPM, or you can count the beats for 15 seconds and multiply that number by 4 and get the BPM.
Read More About This Manual & Download PDF:
Read User Manual Online (PDF format)
Read User Manual Online (PDF format) >>