VITAL SIGNS 

It is the measurement of the body's basic function. 

It helps to detect or monitor health problems. 

COMPONENTS OF VITAL SIGNS

• Body Temperature (Temp)

• Pulse Rate (PR)

• Respiration Rate (RR) 

• Blood Pressure (BP)

• Pain Assessment 

• Oxygen Saturation (SPO²)

Body Temperature 

• It is defined as the difference between heat produced by the body processes and the heat lost to the external environment. Body temperature is primarily regulated by hypothalamus. A gland that is located in the brain that act as a thermoregulator. 

2 types of body temperature:

1. Surface Temperature 

• warmth at skin surface.

2. Core Temperature 

•   warmth of the deep tissue within the body. 

Hypothermia Vs. Hyperthermia

• Hypothermia and Hyperthermia are both conditions that can happen when the body is exposed to extreme temperatures or when the body is no longer able to regulate body temperature. Temperature exposure is the biggest difference between hypothermia and hyperthermia. Hypothermia can happen with prolonged exposure to cold temperatures and hyperthermia can happen with prolonged exposure to hot temperatures. 

Fever Vs. Hyperpyrexia

• Fever is an elevation of body temperature above the normal variation, which is induced by cytokine activation. Fever is often due to infection but can be associated with malignancy, inflammatory disease or other causes. While hyperpyrexia is the term for exceptionally high fever (greater than 41 C), which can occur in patients with severe infections.

Factors Affecting Body Temperature

1. Circadian Rhythm 

• It is a time in a day where Body Temp varies. Iy is lower in the morning rather than the evening.  

2. Age 

•  infants and children usually have a higher temperature compared to adults due to immature heat regulation.  

3. Sex 

• women may experience a slight increase in body temperature during ovulation. 

4. Physical Activity 

•  muscle contraction releases body heat which increases body temperature.

5. Emotion 

•   such as crying and anger can increase body temp. 

6. Environmental Changes 

•  changes in environment can highly affect our body temperature.

7. Infections 

•  a fever can be an indication of infection.  It is the body's defensive mechanism to fight or kill infectious organisms in our body. 

TYPES OF THERMOMETER

PULSE RATE 

It is Defined as the number of heart beats per minute (bpm). Each pulse beat represents one cardiac cycle or one heartbeat, contraction and relaxation.  In a healthy adult, a normal resting heart rate ranges from 60 - 100 bpm. 

• Tachycardia 

- a resting pulse rate above 100 bpm considered to be a rapid pulse rate. 

• Bradycardia 

- a resting pulse rate below 60 bpm considered to be a slow pulse rate.

Characteristic of Pulse 

1. Rate of pulse 

- Number of pulses for a minute. 

2. Volume/Force 

- Refer to the strength of the pulse when the heart contracts. 

3. Intensity 

- It can be a bounding pulse(full) or a thready pulse ( weak). 

4. Rhythm 

-Refers to the regularity or equal spacing of all the beats of the pulse. A pulse with an irregular rhythm is known as dysrhythmia or arrhythmia. An intermittent pulse occurs when the heart occasionally skips a beat. This is not considered abnormal if it does not happen frequently.

Factors Affecting Pulse Rate 

1. Physical Activity 

- it increases the pulse rate 20 - 30 bpm depending upon the intensity of the activity. 

2. Age 

- as age increases pulse rate decreases.

3. Sex 

- Female pulse rate is about 10 bpm greater among male around their age. 

4. Weight 

- heat loss is greater in a small body, resulting in heart pumping faster to compensate. 

5. Disease Condition 

- pulse rate is increased in a certain health condition. 

6. Medication 

- It can either increase or decrease pulse rate. 

7. Emotion 

- such as fear, anxiety and anger increase pulse rate.

Assessment of Pulse Location