What is the normal blood pressure?
For an adult aged 19-65:
- Systolic (90-120mmHg).
- Diastolic (60-80mmHg).
What does the systolic measure?
The pressure in your arteries.
What does the diastolic measure?
The pressure in your arteries when your heart rests.
What can affect blood pressure?
- A lot of salt can make it high.
- Regular Physical activity can make it low.
- Stress can make it high.
What is the normal heart rate?
60-100 bpm.
How is heart rate measured?
This is measured electronically on a pulse oximeter or manually by resting a finger on the inside of the wrist of the side of the neck.
What can affect the heart rate?
- Stress can cause it to rise due to the release of adrenaline.
- Exercise as your muscles become stronger when you exercise regularly, as it will improve the circulation therefore lowering the heart rate.
- A fatty diet will cause cholesterol to build up, increasing your heart rate.
What is the normal respiratory rate?
- At rest, 12-20 breaths per minute.
- When exercising. 40-60 breaths per minute.
How do you measure respiratory rate?
Watch as the chest and or shoulders fall and rise for a minute, counting each breath.
What can affect respiratory rate?
- An overdose on painkillers can lower it as they depress the breathing drive in the brain.
- Sleep apnea can lower it as your throat tissue relaxes, blocking the airways.
- Anxiety can increase it as you tend to breathe faster when anxious.
- A fever will increase it as you breathe more to get rid of heat.
- Dehydration as your body breathes more to get energy to your cells.
What is the normal body temperature?
36 - 37.5 Degrees Celsius.
How do you take body temperature?
With a thermometer.
What is hypothermia?
When your body temp is lower than 35.
What is hyperpyrexia?
A fever higher than 41.
What affects body temperature?
- Time of day (Lowest early in the day and at its peak in the late afternoon due to metabolic activity, which is low when you sleep).
- Stress (Increases due to cortisol and adrenaline as adrenaline increases the heat production of the liver).
- Gender (Higher in women).
What is capillary refill?
This is a way to monitor blood circulation to extremities.
How do you check capillary refill?
Hold the fingertip and press down for 5 seconds. Release, and count how long it takes for the fingers full colouring to come back.
This can also be done on the torso.
What is the normal capillary refill?
- It should take up to 3 seconds.
- 4-5 seconds is concerning.
What does a long capillary refill indicate?
An infection, but also possibly a cold.
What is a NEWS chart?
This is a chart containing sections to record a pupils observations, to monitor their condition.
Why were NEWS charts implemented?
To improve the detection and response to clinical deterioration to improve patient safety and outcomes.
What is blood pressure?
The force of your blood pushing against the walls of your arteries
What is heart rate?
Your heart rate is the number of times your heart beats each minute.
What is urinary output?
How much urine you produce over a specific period of time.
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