Vital Signs

The lack of knowledge and confidence of obtaining a manual blood pressure is an ever growing issue in the healthcare field. This paper will outline the importance of taking a manual blood pressure accurately. Providing the proper blood pressure measurement can determine a patient’s care and outcome when in a healthcare facility. I will talk about the pros and cons of manual blood pressures and personal experience of this vital skill in the healthcare field. I will also provide some simple but effect ways to increase confidence and knowledge by just basic education. All of my information and numbers will be supported by using references and studies in the use of manual blood pressure monitoring.

2.7 Monitoring physiological measurements it´s important to make sure the individual health status and also necessary after surgery, as patients in intensive care units require continuous monitoring, and sometimes have medications that requires physical measurements taken. These are measurements we take to ensure that they are functioning in the way they are supposed to. When we carry out physiological measurements, such as measuring temperature, pulse and respiration, we are monitoring for signs of abnormality. Then be able to draw conclusions about the health status of the individual and any treatments they may

I and my colleague systematically assessed the patient using rapid assessment (ABCDE) and observation of vital sign. ABCDE mean assessing patient Airway, Breathing, Circulation, Disability and Exposure. Vital signs consist of blood pressure, pulse temperature, and respiration rate. They are essential basic observation that provides information on which clinical decisions are based and for identifying when any nursing or medical intervention is required according to Lina and Barbara (2008 p59).

• Pulse Oximetry - Tests the percentage of oxygen in the blood. 95% or more is a normal level,

Pulse oximeter used to check his oxygen saturation level, which was 98% on air with no central or peripheral cyanosis. Since Mr Devi, does not seem to have any sign of abnormal respiration. The next assessment is circulation, where there are many physical signs to look for. The colour of the hand and digits, are they blue, pink, pale or mottled. Also need to measure for capillary refill time (CRT) by applying cutaneous pressure for 5 Sec on a fingertip held at heart level of Mr. Devi. The normal value of CRT is usually less than 2 second prolonged CRT suggests poor peripheral perfusion. Measure his Blood Pressure (B/P), count pulse rate by listening to the heart with a stethoscope or palpate peripheral and central pulses, assessing for the presence, rate, quality, regularity and equality. All of this assessment indicates the cardiovascular system in the patient is within the normal range or is there any emergency measures should take (Resus.org.uk 2016). However, Mr Devi’s circulation is a concern because his HR was 110bpm which is higher than normal range, the normal heart beat for adults ranges from 60-100bpm. Also his BP was 190/99mmhg with mean arterial pressure (MAP) of

health, blood pressure, heart rate, temperature, blood sugar, and urine can be monitored self, and also can

Assessment: the patient 's vital signs are 108/68, 125 beats per minute, respirations, even and non-labored at 14 breaths per minute, 92% on 2 liters of oxygen via nasal cannula, afebrile 98.5 F.

While on Duty I received a call for a 67 year old female who had a temperature. No further information supplied call dispatch code 26-A-08

Gray-Vickrey stresses three situations during which nurses and other health care professionals must be particularly mindful of the differences between normal aging changes and possible signs and symptoms of disease: during primary assessments, when taking older adults’ vital signs; during patient diagnoses; and off-scene, when thinking independently about patients and their complaints, when false assumptions all too often exist. First, when taking clinical measurements of older adults’ temperatures and blood pressures, it is important to understand that what may appear to be a sign or a symptom of disease

Clinical data is vital signs; the patient's vital signs are taken by the healthcare professional either before or

The pulse is an indication of an individual’s heart rate. When checking for a pulse in the primary survey, begin with palpating the patient’s radial or carotid artery (Basic Patient Care 2012, p. 50). This may reveal a normal (60-100 beats/min), tachycardia (<100 beats/min), bradycardia (> 60 beats/min) or asystole heart rate. Additionally, the capillary refill may also provide details about a patient’s cardiovascular status. This is performed by applying pressure to the nail bed and calculating the time it to takes to refill to a normal color, which should take no more then a few seconds otherwise suggesting capillary closure (Mick J Sanders, 2012, p. 1400). An additional accessory to Circulation is Hemorrhages, these involve more through examinations of the pulse, blood pressure and warmth of peripheries of patients. Additionally, you must thoroughly look for indication of bleeding, specifically in the areas around the chest, abdomen and externally seen by the eye.

Vital signs are a fundamental component of nursing care and indicate the body’s ability to maintain blood flow, regulate temperature and regulate oxygenate the body tissue. Taking vital signs are essential in revealing any sudden changes in the body, which could potentially indicate clinical deterioration of the patient.

The purpose of this journal is to reflect on my experience and skills gained during my clinical placement at Ben Taub Hospital. On my first clinical day, I was excited and nervous at the same time. My first placement was in the PREOP/PACU area. I was assigned to help a patient who had been in the PACU area going on 2 days. Normally, once the patient comes from surgery they are only in the PACU area for a short period of time before they are discharged home or given a bed in another area of the hospital. This particular patient still had not received an assignment for a bed. The physicians would make their rounds to come check on him daily. The patient was a 28-year-old Hispanic male, non-English speaking, he had a hemicolectomy. He had a NG tube, urinary Foley catheter, and a wound vac. My preceptor had just clocked in and she needed to check on the patient’s vitals and notes from the previous nurse. Once she introduced me to the patient and explained while I was there, she then asked me to check his vitals. (Vital signs indicate the body’s ability to regulate body temperature, maintain blood flow, and oxygenate body tissues. Vital signs are important indicators of a client’s overall health status (Hogan, 2014). I froze for a quick second. I have practiced taking vitals numerous of times and I knew I could do it correctly. I started with the temperature first, when I was quickly corrected on a major mistake I had made by my preceptor. I HAD FORGOT TO WASH MY HANDS and PUT

Vital signs are measurements of the body’s most basic functions. They are very useful in detecting and monitoring medical problems. There are five main types of vital signs which are temperature, pulse, respiration, blood pressure, and pain. They can be measured in a medical setting, at home, at the site of a medical emergency, or elsewhere.

This essay aims to provide a discussion of vital signs and how they are relevant to contemporary nursing practice. This is done by;