Vital signs are one of the most important assessments you can make when preparing the patient to be examined by the practitioner. Temperature, pulse, respirations, and blood pressure give information about how a patient will adjust to changes within the body and in the environment. Changes in the vital signs can indicate an abnormality.

Measurements such as height, weight, and head circumference can indicate physical growth and development, especially in infants and children. These measurements are also used to evaluate health problems, such as obesity. Other measurements are also completed to evaluate a patient's condition. For example, you may need to measure the size of a wound or bruise or the diameter of an arm or leg. In all cases, you must be accurate when performing and recording vital signs and body measurements. The practitioner uses your results when making a diagnosis.

Outline

• Vital Signs
• Body Measurements

Learning Outcomes

After completing Chapter 37, you will be able to:

 37.1 Recognize common terminology and abbreviations used in documenting and discussing vital signs.
 37.2 Describe the instruments used to measure vital signs and body measurements.
 37.3 Explain the procedure used to measure vital signs and body measurements.

Summary