Vital Signs and Anthropometric Measurements

1. Comprehensive Medical Assisting, 3rd Ed Unit Four: Fundamentals of Clinical Medical Assisting Chapter 19 – Anthropometric Measurements and Vital Signs

2. Vital Signs and Anthropometric Measurements Vital signs Cardinal signs Frequently measured and recorded by a medical assistant Anthropometric measurements Information essential for the physician to diagnose, treat, and prevent disorders Baseline Taken during the first visit Used as reference point

3. Anthropometric Measurements Weight Accurate weight is required for Pregnant patients Infants Children Elderly individuals Patients who have been prescribed certain medications

4. Anthropometric Measurements Weight Scale Should be placed in a spot that the patient is comfortable with Type Balance beam scale Digital scale Dial scale Measured in pounds or kilograms

5. Anthropometric Measurements Height Can be measured using a Movable ruler on the back of most balance beam scales Graph ruler mounted on the wall Parallel bar moved down against the top of the patient’s head

6. The Three Types of Scales Used in Medical Offices Include the Digital, Dial, and Balance Scale

7. Vital Signs Temperature Reflects a balance between heat produced and heat lost by the body Afebrile Temperature within normal limits Febrile Temperature above normal

8. Vital Signs Temperature Measured in either Fahrenheit or Celsius using a thermometer Methods Oral Rectal Axillary Tympanic

9. Vital Signs Temperature Regulated by the hypothalamus Perspiration occurs when the hypothalamus senses that the body is too warm Shivering occurs when the hypothalamus senses that the body is too cool

10. Vital Signs Temperature Stages of fever Usually results from a disease process Pyrexia 102°F or higher rectally or 101°F or higher orally Hyperpyrexia 105° to 106°F Considered dangerous

11. Vital Signs Temperature Stages of fever Onset Course (may vary) Sustained Remittent Intermittent Relapsing Resolution

12. Vital Signs Temperature Types of thermometers Glass mercury Electronic Tympanic Temporal artery Disposable

13. Glass Mercury Thermometers

14. Two Types of Electronic Thermometers and Probes

15. The Tympanic Thermometer in Use

16. A Temporal Artery Scanning Thermometer

17. Disposable Paper Thermometer

18. Vital Signs Pulse Expansion and relaxation of the arteries felt at various points in the body Measured using Two or three fingers over the pulse point A stethoscope A Doppler unit

19. Measuring a Radial Pulse (Left) and an Apical Pulse (Right)

20. Vital Signs Pulse Characteristics Assess Rate Rhythm Volume

21. Vital Signs Respiration The exchange of gasses between the atmosphere and blood in the body The body expels carbon dioxide (CO2) and takes in oxygen (O2) Characteristics Rate Rhythm Depth

22. Vital Signs Blood Pressure Measure of the pressure of the blood as it is forced against the arterial walls Systole Phase when the heard contracts Diastole Phase when the heart pauses briefly

23. Vital Signs Blood Pressure Cardiac cycle Period from the beginning of one heartbeat to the next Measured using A stethoscope A sphygmomanometer (blood pressure cuff) Aneroid Mercury

24. Three Sizes of Blood Pressure Cups

25. Vital Signs Blood Pressure Korotkoff sounds Five phases of sounds heard while auscultating the blood pressure Phases I and V are recorded as blood pressure Pulse pressure Difference between the systolic and diastolic readings

26. Vital Signs Blood Pressure Auscultatory gap Possessed by patients with a history of hypertension Loss of any sounds for a decrease of up to 30 mm Hg during the release of air from the blood pressure cuff

27. End of Presentation