Vital Signs

Vital Signs

1. Temperature

   • Febrile: 36.5 - 37.5
     • Possible Cause: Infection, agitated, recently activity, ate, or drank
       • Response: acetaminophen, treat the underlying cause.

2. Respiration Rate

   • 12-20
     • > 20 = TachyPnea (rapid shallow breathing)
       • Possible Cause: asthma, lung disease, anxiety, obesity, pulmonary embolism, chocking, heart failure, shock or lung infections
         • Response: requires identifying and treating underlying cause
     • < 12 = BradyPnea
       • Possible Cause: secondary disorder caused by narcotics, brain disorders, hyperthyroidism
         • Response: raise head of bed to fowlers position, administer O2 (2L) via nasal cannula or mask, treat primary disorder.

3. Blood Pressure

   • 90/60 - 130/85 systolic is main focus
     • < 90 Systolic = HypoTension
       • Orthostatic Hypotension = low BP when going from sitting/laying to standing
       • Possible Cause: medication, fluid decrease
         • Response: administration of colloids & crystalloids, vasoconstrictors
     • 140/90 = HyperTension
       • Possible Cause: medication, fluid overload, infection
         • Response: thiazide diuretics, beta blockers, ACE inhibitors, Angiotensin II receptor blockers, calcium channel blockers, renin inhibitor,

4. Pulse

   • 60 - 100
     • > 100 = TachyCardia
       • Possible Cause: hypertension, poor blood supply to the heart due to coronary artery disease (atherosclerosis), heart valve disease, heart failure, cardiomyopathy, tutors or infection
         • Response: medications such as digitalis (Lanoxin), beta-blockers, calcium channel blockers, or amiodarone. Find the primary cause and treat it.
     • < 60 = BradyCardia
       • Possible Cause: medications, coronary artery disease, heart attack, infections such as endocarditis & myocarditis. Underlying disorders such s hypothyroidism, or obstructive sleep apnea.
         • Response: It is possible to have bradycardia without any symptoms, in which case it isn't treated. If the hearts electrical system is damaged a pacemaker is needed. Treatment of underlying disorder.

5. O2 Stats

   • 95 - 100%
     • < 90 = HypOxemia
       • Possible Cause: lung disease i.e COPD, emphysema, bronchitis, pneumonia, pulmonary edema, narcotics, heart problems, & anemia
         • Response: raise head of bed to fowlers position, have the pt take deep breaths and cough if necessary. administer O2 (2L) via nasal cannula or mask, treat primary disorder
   • COPD 90-92% is OK