Name: Alexandra Regilyne M.

Romero
January 12, 2013
Course and Year: BSMT II

Date Submitted:

EXERCISE NO. 1
Vital Signs
I.

Objectives
To define what is vital signs
To determine the importance of taking vital signs in clinical
practice

II.

Materials Need
Thermometer
Stethoscope
sphygmomanometer

III.

Results
Patients name: Krisza Janica F. Escano
Date: January 11, 2013
Gender: Female
Age: 19 yrs. Old

Blood Pressure: 80/ 70 mmHg

Temperature: 37 C; Axillary Thermometer
Pulse Rate: 78 beats/ minute
Respiratory Rate: 13 breaths/ minute

IV.

Interpretation of results
Low Blood Pressure
Normal Temperature
Normal Pulse Rate
Normal Respiratory Rate

V.

Questions
1. On what clinical conditions when rectal thermometer may not be
used?
Rectal thermometer is not applicable when the patient has a
heart condition. The thermometer or probe could stimulate the
vagus nerve in the rectum and cause cardiac arrhythmia; if the

patient has hemorrhoids. A hemorrhoid is enlarged portion of a

vein; and if the patient has diarrhea.
2. How do you detect apical pulse rate?
The apical pulse is the heartbeat that is heard at the apex of the
heart. The heart apex is located at the very bottom left of this
pear shaped organ. A stethoscope is used to listen to
the apical pulse. In most cases, the best way to get an accurate
heart rate is to count the beats heard at the heart apex for one
full minute. If the individual has a normal heart rate, the sound
that is heard through the stethoscope will usually be a "lub-dub"
sound.
3. What are the clinical conditions that show abnormal respiration?
Abnormal respiration may indicate the following clinical
conditions: Dyspnea, this term implies conscious perception of
"air hunger" or a sense of shortness of breath, and is subjective
in nature; Tachypnea is greater than normal respiratory rate;
Orthopnea is increased respiratory distress when the patient is
lying down or the chest is compressed; Hyperventilation is
ventilation that exceeds metabolic demands; Hypoventilation is
a ventilation that does not meet metabolic demands; and apnea
is cessation of breathing for an indeterminate period.
VI.

Conclusion
Vital signs include the pulse rate, respiratory rate, temperature,
and blood pressure. Any abnormalities in any of these vital signs
may indicate a sign of abnormalities or any pathological conditions.

VII.

References
http://www.nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus/ency/article/002341.htm
Abnormal Breathing Medical Conditions | ThirdAge.com
www.equinevetservice.com/vitalsigns.htm