Vital Signs

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Introduction

Vital signs provide core information on the physiologic state of a person. The four key vital signs are heart rate, blood pressure, respiratory rate, and temperature. Given their importance, however, oxygen saturation and pupil response to light are also included when assessing a person for serious illness.

 

 

Heart rate

main article: pulse

Normal heart rate for adults is 60-100 beats per minute. However, resting heart rate is lower in athletes. Assessing the heart rate as 'normal' can also be misleading for patientrs taking beta blockers, as their medication makes them unable to develop tachycardia.

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Blood Pressure

main article: blood pressure

Blood pressure provides critical information on cardiovascular function and tissue perfusion.

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Respiratory Rate

Normal respiratory rate in adults is 12-20 breaths/minute. Above this - tachypnea - can be seen in a variety of respiratory and metabolic diseases, as well as in response to stress or anxiety. Below this raises concern for respiratory failure.

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Temperature

A person's temperature can provide evidence of fever or other causes of hypothermia, as well as hypothermia.

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Oxygen Saturation

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Pediatric Vitals

  • heart rate
  • respiratory rate
  • blood pressure

Heart Rate

Normal ranges for heart rate in children include:

  • birth 120-160
  • preschool 70-140
  • adolescent 60-120

Respiratory Rate

age (months)

awake

asleep

<2

47

39

2-6

42

32

6-12

38

28

12-18

34

26

18-24

32

24

24-30

30

23

30-36

28

21
     

age (years)

resp. rate

4

47

5

42

6

38

7

34

8

32

9

30

10

28

11

 

12

 

13

 

14

 

14

 

16

 

 

Normal tidal volume is 4-6 ml/kg in infants.

Blood Pressure

sBP (in mmHg)

birth 70

preschool 80-90

adolescent 90-120

 

80/x

 

120/80 by age age

 

 

 

Resources and References

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