How to Understand Vital Signs

Vital signs are just that; vital signs of life. Vital signs are used as a benchmark to gauge the overall health of a person. Blood pressure, pulse, respiration and temperature are the vital signs that are taken by doctors, nurses and paramedics. Understanding vital signs is important if you are a caregiver or keeping track of them at home.

Instructions

Difficulty: Moderate

Blood Pressure

1. Take blood pressure readings when rested to determine an average reading. A blood pressure reading will not be accurate if just finishing exercise; blood pressure will be elevated even after eating or a bowel movement. Blood pressure is the force of blood against artery walls.
2. Inflate the cuff of the blood pressure monitor until tight but not painful; pump until the gauge goes a little higher than the normal blood pressure reading. For example, if the systolic (the upper number) pressure is normally 120, inflate the cuff until it reaches 140.
3. Release the dial slowly. Listen with a stethoscope to the very first sound, the systolic pressure, and make a note of it. Continue to listen until the very last sound, which is the bottom number, or diastolic blood pressure. The total reading places the systolic over the diastolic like this: 120/76.
4. Know the blood pressure reading the doctor wants you to maintain and what is normal for your age and physical condition. If you get an abnormal reading, adjust the cuff and take the blood pressure again. In general, the systolic number should be between 90 and 120 and the diastolic number should be between 60 and 80.

Pulse

5. Take your pulse with your pointer and middle finger placed gently on the inside of the wrist, below the thumb. Feel the pulsing of the heartbeat.
6. Count the number of beats for 30 seconds. Then multiply the number by two, if the pulse is steady. This gives the pulse rate for one minute. If the pulse is weak or thready, count for a full minute to get an accurate pulse reading.
7. Apply gentle pressure if you can't feel a pulse in the wrist as some people have deeper blood vessels. If you are taking the pulse at the carotid artery, on either side of the windpipe, do not apply pressure or you may get dizzy.
8. Know the normal pulse rate your doctor wants you to maintain; take your pulse while at rest to get a baseline reading. A normal pulse should be between 60 and 100 at rest. Certain drugs and illnesses can affect pulse rates, which is your heart rate.

Respiration

9. Enlist help to count the number of breaths you take. Counting respirations is almost impossible to do yourself, because respirations are voluntary to a point. Most people change the rate at which they breathe when aware that respirations are being counted. As unintentional as this is, almost everyone does it, and that's why it's important that the person is unaware that respirations are being counted.
10. Keep your fingers on the person's wrist after taking the pulse, as though you are still checking their pulse. If the person's breathing is regular, count the number of inhalations for 30 seconds. If the person's breathing is irregular, count for a full minute. This gives an accurate reading of the respiratory vital sign. The average respiratory rate for an adult is between 16 and 24 breaths per minute.
11. Make a note of any difficulty breathing, irregular breathing or wheezing sounds you may hear while counting respirations. Certain illnesses can change respiratory rates and quality of breathing.

Temperature

12. Check the temperature at the beginning of the vital sign check. Temperature on thermometers can take as long as three to five minutes to register. Take the temperature under the tongue (oral) or under the armpit (axillary). Only take a rectal temperature if the doctor orders it; it can be uncomfortable and dangerous if the thermometer breaks because the patient is fighting it.
13. Shake down a mercury thermometer until the mercury reads below 97 degrees. Insert it under the tongue and leave it there for at least three minutes. To read it, hold the thermometer at eye level or above and note the top level of the mercury.
14. Take temperature readings while at rest as they can be increased after physical activity. Wait at least ten minutes after eating or drinking, which will also affect the reading. If the reading is abnormal, wait for a few minutes and take the temperature again. Normal readings are between 98.0 to 99.0 with the average of 98.6

Tips & Warnings

• Get medical help immediately if all vital signs are abnormal.
• See your doctor if any vital sign remains abnormal.