moistness or dryness, can also be convenientlydetermined at this time.Pulse.—When taking a patient’s pulse, you shouldbe concerned with two factors: rate and character. Forpulse rate, you will have to determine the number ofbeats per minute. Pulse rate is classified as normal,rapid, or slow. A normal pulse rate for adults isbetween 60 to 80 beats per minute. Any pulse rateabove 100 beats per minute is rapid (tachycardia),while a rate below 60 beats per minute is slow(bradycardia).NOTE: An athlete may have a normal at-restpulse rate between 40 and 50 beats perminute. This is a slow pulse rate, but is not anindication of poor health.Pulse character is the rhythm and force of thepulse.Pulse rhythm is evaluated as regular orirregular. When intervals between beats are constant,the pulse is regular, and when intervals are notconstant, the pulse is described as irregular.Pulseforce refers to the pressure of the pulse wave as itexpands the artery. Pulse force is determined as full orthready. A full pulse feels as if a strong wave haspassed under your fingertips. When the pulse feelsweak and thin, the pulse is described as thready.The pulse rate and character can be determined at anumber of points throughout the body. The mostcommon site to determine a patient’s pulse is theradial pulse. The radial pulse (wrist pulse) is namedafter the radial artery found in the lateral aspect of theforearm.Respiration.—Respiration is the act of breathing.A single breath is the complete process of breathing in(inhalation) followed by breathing out (exhalation).When observing respiration in connection to vitalsigns, you should be concerned with two factors: rateand character.Respiration rate is the number of breaths a patienttakes in 1 minute. The rate of respiration is classifiedas normal, rapid, or slow. The normal respiration ratefor an adult at rest is 12 to 20 breaths per minute. Arapid respiration rate is more than 28 respirations perminute, and a slow respiration rate is less than 10breaths per minute. A rapid or slow respiration rateindicates the patient is in need of immediate medicalattention and should be transported to a medicaltreatment facility as soon as possible.Respiration character includes rhythm, depth,ease of breathing, and sound.Respiration rhythmrefers to the manner in which a person breathes.Respiration rhythm is classified as regular or irregular.A regular rhythm is when the interval between breathsis constant, and an irregular rhythm is when theinterval between breaths varies.Respiration depth refers to the amount of airmoved between each breath. Respiration depth isclassified as normal, deep, or shallow.Ease of breathing can be judged while you arejudging depth. Ease of breathing may be judged aslabored, difficult, or painful.Sounds of respiration include snoring ,wheezing, crowing (birdlike sounds), and gurgling(sounds like breaths are passing through water).You should count respirations as soon as you havedetermined the pulse rate. Count the number of breathstaken by the patient during 30 seconds and multiply by2 to obtain the breaths per minute. While you arecounting breaths, note the rhythm, depth, ease ofbreathing, and sounds of respiration.Blood Pressure.—The measurement of the pressureblood exerts against the wall of blood vessels is known asblood pressure. The pressure created in the arteries whenthe heart pumps blood out into circulation (heart beat) iscalled the systolic blood pressure. The pressureremaining in the arteries when the heart is relaxed(between beats) is called the diastolic blood pressure.The systolic pressure is always reported first and thediastolic pressure second (e.g., 120 over 80).Blood pressure varies from one person to anotherand is measured with a stethoscope and asphygmomanometer (BP cuff). Low blood pressure(hypotension) is considered to exist when the systolicpressure falls below 90 millimeters of mercury (mmHg) and/or the diastolic falls below 60. “Millimetersof mercury” refers to the units of the BP cuff’s gauge.High blood pressure (hypertension) exists once thepressure rises above 150/90 mm Hg. Keep in mind thatpatients may exhibit a temporary rise in blood pressureduring emergency situations. More than one readingwill be necessary to determine if a high or low readingis only temporary. If a patient’s blood pressure drops,the patient may be going into shock. You should reportmajor changes in blood pressure immediately tomedical facility personnel.Te m p e r a t u re . — B o d y t e m p e r a t u r e s a r edetermined by the measurement of oral, rectal, axillary4-10
Integrated Publishing, Inc. - A (SDVOSB) Service Disabled Veteran Owned Small Business