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Module 8: Vital Signs: Temperature (Vital Signs (Person's temperature,…
Module 8: Vital Signs: Temperature
Vital
necessary to life
key measurements that provide essential information about a persons health are referred to as Vital Signs
Vital Signs
Person's temperature
Measurement of the degree of heat in living body
Person's pulse
Measurement of heart rate in beats per minute.
Pulse is a throbbing caused by the contraction and expansion of an artery as blood passes through it
Person's blood pressure
force exerted against the walls of the blood vessels as the blood flows through them
Person's respiration
Breathing rate of an individual, stated in breaths per minute
Homeostasis
Body tries to maintain a state of balance
Body maintains homeostasis by making adjustments as necessary to keep the body's vital signs within the normal range
Assessment
Vital signs can be observed, measured, and monitored to provide critical information about a person's state of health
Temperature Scales
Centigrade
Farenheit
Celsius
Importance of Vital Signs
changes in vital signs may indicate that something is out of balance in the body
vital signs tell the dental health provider about changes in a persons body (illness, infection, stress, or internal body damage)
Should be measured before start of any dental treatment for patient safety
Vital Sign Measurements
Oral Temperature
measured in the mouth with a thermometer placed under tonge
can be a glass, digital, or disposable thermometer
When an Oral Temperature should NOT be taken
patient is a child under 5 (cannot be relied upon to follow a "don't bite down" request
patient is confused, heavily sedated, or has a condition that makes it likely they might bite down on a glass thermometer
Patient had recent oral surgery
patient is receiving oxygen by nose
Pulse Rate
measured by touch
pulse rate felt at wrist
Breathing Rate
measured by watching the rise and fall of the chest wall
Blood Pressure
mesured using a thethoscope and a blood pressure cuff
Digital blood pressure cuffs are an alternative to the traditional stethoscope and blood pressure cuff
Digital measurement may not be as accurate
Equipment
Automatic Temperature Equipment
also called Digital Temperature Equipment
ranges from the highly calibrated types used in hospital settings to less advanced equipment designed for home use
Glass Thermometers
provide inexpensive mean for obtaining accurate oral temperature
modern glass thermometers are mercury-free and contain most commonly either galinstan or alcohol