Vital Signs

General Objectives:

At the end of this lecture the student should be able to demonstrate basic
knowledge related to vital signs.
Specific Objectives:
At the end of this lecture the student should be able to:-
 Define Vital Signs
 Enumerate Normal Range of Vital Signs.
 Mention Purpose of Measuring Vital Signs
 Discuss Times for Assessing Vital Signs
 List Nurse Role.

Outlines:

Definition of Vital Signs
Normal Range of Vital Signs
Purpose of Measuring Vital Signs
Times for Assessing Vital Signs
Nurse Role

Introduction

The five objective vital signs tell how certain systems are functioning,
provide data regarding the patient‘s overall condition, and provide a
baseline against which you can measure even subtle changes. Although
subjective, the assessment of pain is important because this feeling of
distress can have effects on blood pressure, pulse, and respirations, and it
serves as a warning that tissues are actually being injured or about to be
injured.
To provide appropriate nursing care to a patient, the nurse must know
how the patient‘s body is physiologically responding. One of the basic
ways to determine this is to assess the patient‘s vital signs.

Definition:

Vital signs can be defined as assessment of vital or critical
physiological functions. Variations in temperature (T), pulse (P),
respirations (P), or blood pressure (BP) are indicators of a person‘s state
of health and function of the body systems.
OR
Vital signs are a group of the four to six most important medical
signs that indicate the status of the body‘s vital (life-sustaining) functions.
These measurements are taken to help assess the general physical health
of a person, give clues to possible diseases, and show progress toward
recovery. The normal ranges for a person‘s vital signs vary with age,
weight, gender, and overall health.
Time for Measuring Vital Signs:
The following are common occasions for assessing vital signs:
 On admission to the hospital.

 For inpatients, at the beginning of a shift.
 At a visit to the healthcare provider‘s office or clinic.
 Before, during, and after surgery or certain procedures.
 To monitor the effects of certain medications or activities.
 Whenever the patient‘s condition changes.
Purpose for Measuring Vital Signs:
 You will assess, or measure, vital signs often because it is a quick
and efficient way to monitor a patient‘s physiological condition.
 To identify new problems, and determine if an intervention should
be performed or if prior interventions were effective.
 To obtain base line data about the patient condition.
 For diagnosis.

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