2.3 Vital Signs
VITAL SIGNS
Protocol: The learner must successfully demonstrate accurate taking and recording of the temperature, pulse, respiration and blood pressure on a patient.
Criteria:
| Student completed procedure protocol accurately | Successful (S) |
| Student did not complete procedure protocol accurately | Unsuccessful (U) |
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Procedure Protocol |
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Complete armamentarium assembled |
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Procedures explained to the patient |
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Asked if patient has smoked, drank or ate food, and waited appropriate time if necessary |
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Temperature |
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Aimed thermometer at the patient’s forehead; maintained a distance of 3-5 cm |
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Kept in place until the display indicates the temperature |
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Recorded the final reading |
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Pulse and Respirations |
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Identified and palpated the radial pulse |
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Counted the radial pulse for 30 seconds |
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Multiplied pulse count by two and recorded reading |
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Counted respirations for 30 seconds |
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Multiplied respirations count by two and recorded reading |
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Blood pressure |
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Forearm supported at heart level with the palm up on a table or armrest |
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Assessed for proper cuff size |
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Observed the manometer at eye level |
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Placed stethoscope over the brachial artery |
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Inflated to a pressure not more than 40mmHg higher than point when radial pulse was no longer detected |
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Deflated the cuff slowly, watching the manometer |
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Read the systolic and diastolic pressures |
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Reading within +/- 5 mm HG of Instructor’s findings |
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Obtained accurate blood pressure reading with no more than 2 attempts (1 on each arm) |
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Documented all vital signs |
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Explained to the patient their vital sign readings |
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Safety measures followed |
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Infection control protocols followed |
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Demonstrates professionalism and appropriate communication skills |
