Vital Signs Assignment

MALAIKA JAMIL

Part 1: Temperature (T) /20

1. Explain the different types of thermometers used to take a patient’s temperature. Include a picture/diagram of
each type of thermometer:
a. Electronic

An electronic thermometer is a device used to determine temperature. It is able to identify

temperature changes, using a thermoresistive device. In a thermoerestive device the electrical
resistance changes when the temperature changes. It is at the tip of the probe, which measures the
temperature. Electronic thermometers have plastic covers on the probes to avoid contamination.

b. Glass - rounded tip

Glass thermometers are thermometers which have mercury in their bulbs. Until the mercury matches
the temperatures level it rises into the glass tube. Glass thermometers with rounded tips are used for
measuring the temperatures of rectals. The probes of these thermometers are short. These
thermometers are very accurate because of the mercury in their bulbs.

c. Glass - long tip

Glass thermometers with long tips are used to measure oral temperatures. The tips are narrow and
long. It is placed under the tongue in the mouth for oral temperature . For axillary temperature it is
placed in the armpit.
d. Glass - security tip

Glass thermometers with security tips are for both rectal and oral use. The tips for glass thermometers
with security tips are plain and short.

2. A child arrives to your ER and his temperature is 104.8℉

a. Explain what some of the potential risks are when a child has a temperature this high

When a child's temperature is higher than 101.5℉ that would indicate a fever. If a child's temperature
is 102.2℉ then the doctor should be called. If a child’s temperature is 104.8℉ then the fever will not
drop at home, a doctor must be called, who will most likely take them to the ER or for urgent care.
104.8°F is a very high temperature, so some potential risks may be the child vomiting chills and
fatigue. Some other risks may also be seizures and the child losing consciousness.

b. Explain THREE different options to lowering the child’s temperature

There are many methods to lower the child's temperature. One method is to make sure the child is not
overdressing, or heavily dressing, as that would trap body heat and result in the child's temperature
rising. The child should dress lightly. Another way of lowering the temperature is to make the child
drink lots of fluids, such as water or juice. This helps flush out body toxins. Another action that can
be taken is to give the child a lukewarm bath, and keep them away from cold water. Another
traditional method is to use cold compresses on the child's forehead.

3. For the most accurate result, what location is best for taking oral temperature?
For the most accurate results, the location best for taking oral temperature is under the tongue. If you
have consumed something, wait 30 minutes before checking the temperature by mouth. Then you
turn on the thermometer and place the tip of the thermometer under the child's tongue. Keep your
mouth closed until the thermometer beeps to indicate it's done, then remove it and check the number
on the thremotoer to know your temperature. This is as the area under the tongue there is inner body
heat, the area above the tongue would not be accurate for determining the temperature because that
area gets cooled by external air.

4. How far should you insert a rectal thermometer for an infant? A child? An adult?

For a child or infant lay them on their back, lift their thighs and then insert the thermometer 0.5-1
inches into the rectum. For an adult you should insert the thermometers 1.5 inches into the rectum.

Part 2: Pulse (HR) /25

1. Explain the different pulse sites we learned in class. Include a picture of each site:

A pulse is a person's heart rate. It can be helpful knowing your heart rate as it can help measure your
heart health.
a. Radial

The radial pulse is the pulse at your wrist. The best area to examine is on the inside of the wrist, near
the thumb. To examine the radial pulse one should utilize their first and second fingers, and they
should not use their thumb, since the thumb may also have a pulse. The radial pulse is the heartbeat
felt through the walls of a peripheral artery.

b. Brachial

The brachial pulse is the pulse that is felt at the inner elbow (bend of the elbow) over the brachial
artery. It is commonly used for examining blood pressure. For children the brachial pulse is located in
the middle of the inside of the upper arm
 c. Apical

The pulse over the apex of the heart is the apical pulse. The pulse can be found on the left side of the
breastbone, under the nipple. It is usually heard through a stethoscope placed on the chest. The apical
pulse is a common arterial pulse site. For adults the apical pulse is taken before specific drugs are given
to the adult that may slow their heart rate. When examining the pulses if there is a difference between
the radial and apical pulse, then the apical pulse will be at a higher rate, which would show that not
all heartbeats are reaching the radial artery. This may occur due to trauma, abnormal heartbeat, or
other disorders.

d. Carotid

The carotid pulse is taken beside the trachea and up by the sternocleidomastoid muscle. It is taken on
someone who during CPR does not have a heartbeat.

2. What would the HR be for a patient when you count 25 beats in 15 seconds?

When you count 25 beats in 15 seconds then the heart rate would be 100, as 25 multiplied 4 equals to
100 (multiplied by 4 because 60/15:4).
3. Create a chart of expected pulse rates by age group. These can be ranges of pulse rates expected for those ages.
Include the following ranges:

AGE PULSE RATES

a. Newborn 70 to 190 beats per minute

b. 1 month - 1 year (12 months) 80 to 160 beats per minute

c. 1 - 6 years 75 - 120 beats per minute

d. 6 years - adolescence 75 to 118 beats per minute.

e. Adulthood 60 to 100 beats per minute

f. Late adulthood 60 to 100 beats per minute

4. Find a graphic showing a heart rate with a regular pattern and one showing a heart rate
with an irregular pattern.
a. Describe the main differences between the two heart rates

In this image there is a comparison of two heart rates. One is regular while the other is irregular. The
main difference between them is that the regular pattern is beating consistently, without skipping
beats or beating too rapidly. On the other hand the irregular heartbeats pattern is irregular, as the
beats are not consistent. There are beets being skipped, and a longer period of time between beats.

5. Explain the Pulse Volume Scale (0-3)

a. What does each level mean in terms of how the pulse feels

When evaluating a pulse you assess the volume. The pulse volume is how strong the pulse is. The pulse
can be explained with a scale (0-3). If the pulse volume is 0 that would mean that there the pulse is
undetectable, or absent. If it is 1 then that indicates that the pulse is weak, and hard to examine. If the
volume is 2 that would mean that the pulse is normal and strong. It is easily found by strong force
from one's fingertips. If the pulse volume is 3 then it is hard to determine with fingertips and it is
full.

b. What issue could a patient at each level be suffering from/which level is normal

If the pulse is threaded or weak, meaning at volume 1, that may indicate that the patient has decreased
circulation, which may be because of an obstruction of the artery, low blood pressure, or because of
contcarion of the heart. A bounding pulse, meaning a pulse at level 3, indicates high blood pressure or
a strong contraction of the heart. Level 2 is normal, when the pulse is strong and normal.

Part 3: Respiration (RR) /10

1. Explain why a medical professional takes the RR of a patient without telling them

When someone is reminded of their breathing rate, then it is common for them to unintentionally
alter or impact it. Due to that when a medical professional takes the RR of a patient they do not tell
them, so that the results are accurate and not altered.

2. Define hyperventilation. List and describe some reasons why someone may have this condition.

An increase in RR is hyperventilation. It is rapid breathing. It may be caused by stress (physical or

mental), by an increase in body temperature, by anxiety, low blood pressure, or by lack of oxygen.

3. Define hypoventilation. List and describe some reasons why someone may have this condition.

An decrease in RR is hypoventilation. It is slow breathing. It is caused by alcohol, by pain

medications, by decrease in body temperature, no blood pressure, or severe lack of oxygen.

4. Observe your own RR for 1 minute. Record what you found. Did knowing you were counting your breaths
make a difference in how you were breathing?

In one minute I took 26 breaths. Knowing that I am counting my breaths really impacted how I was
breathing. I started taking deep breaths, slowly inhaled and exhaled

5. Do jumping jacks or some other cardio activity for 1 minute. Immediately after, observe your RR for 1
minute. Record what you found. How did your RR change with exercise?
After doing jumping jacks for 1 minute, and then recording my RR I noticed that I took 49 breaths,
and that my heart beat was faster. I took way more breaths this time because when exercising you are
in need of oxygen more than you normally do.

Part 4: Blood Pressure (BP) /10

1. Explain the difference between systolic and diastolic blood pressure.

Systolic BP is the pressure exerted on the arteries during the phase of contraction of the heartbeat. As
the heart relaxes between contractions, the resting pressure on the arteries is Diastolic BP. BP is
written as a fraction when recorded, with the systolic written as the numerator and the diastolic
number written as the denominator.

2. Find a chart showing blood pressure levels (from normal to very dangerous or something similar). Insert the
chart in your document and then comment on the following below it:

a. Why is it important to keep BP at a normal level

It is important to keep BP at a normal level inorder to stay healthy. As seen on the chart when the BP
is high, systolic is 140 or higher and/or diastolic is 90 or higher, then there is a risk of hypertension,
which is stage two. As blood pressure increases, and systolic becomes higher than 180 and/or diastolic
becomes higher than 120 then the person will reach hypertension crisis, in which you would need to
consult a doctor right away. As seen on the chart, as BP increases you can go from hypertension stage 1
to hypertension crisis, which is why it is important to keep BP at a normal level.

b. If your patient had a BP of 176/99mmHg what level are they at according to your chart? What would
be some recommendations you would have for this patient to lower his/her BP? (Include lifestyle
changes and at least one example of a BP medication)
According to my chart they are at the level of high blood pressure (hypertension) stage 2. My
recommendations to lower their BP would be to lose weight, start exercising regularly, eat a
clean/healthy diet, decrease your intake of sodium, stop smoking, reduce your caffeine intake, and to
lessen your stress. Some medications you can take to lower your BP include: losartan (Cozaar),
irbesartan (Avapro), and lisinopril (Prinivil, Zestril).