Nurses Notes

Vital Signs

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TEMPERATURE
■ Afebrile: Oral: 97.5–99.5F and rectal: 0.5–1.0F↑ than oral route
■ Hyperthermia: 99.5F; hypothermia: 97.5F

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PULSE
■ Normal: 60–100bpm
■ Tachycardia: 100bpm; bradycardia: 60bpm
■ Thready:Weak, feeble; bounding: forceful, full
■ Dysrhythmia: Irregular pattern
■ Pulse deficit: Difference between radial and apical rate

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RESPIRATIONS
■ Eupnea, normal: 12–20bpm
■ Tachypnea: 20bpm; bradypnea: 12bpm
■ Apnea: Absence of breathing
■ Hyperventilation: ↑Rate and depth
■ Kussmaul: Deep and rapid, associated with metabolic acidosis
■ Cheyne-Stokes: Rhythmic waxing and waning from very deep to very shallow and temporary apnea
■ Orthopnea: Upright position to breathe
■ Dyspnea: Difficulty breathing

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BLOOD PRESSURE
■ Normal: SBP 120 and DBP 80
■ Prehypertension: SBP 120–139 or DBP 80–89
■ Stage 1 hypertension: SBP 140–159 or DBP 90–99
■ Stage 2 hypertension: SBP ≥160 or DBP ≥100
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Key Terms:
BPM: Breaths per minute / Beats per minute
DBP: Diastolic Blood Pressure
SBP: Systolic Blood Pressure