Title: Record vital signs.
Course: Medication Aide (14051-36) > Section: Preparing for Safe Administration of Medications

Recording should include measuring and documenting temperature, pulse, respirations, blood pressure, and pulse oximetry. Recording should follow guidance from the Virginia Board of Nursing.

Measure vital signs

- when ordered by HCP
- to determine baseline vital signs
- if required by facility policy and procedure on a routine basis
- when monitoring the client’s response to certain medications
- when the client shows signs of physical distress

Measuring and recording vital signs (ranges may vary per client) should include

- temperature
  - Older adults often have diminished ability to regulate body temperature, putting them at higher risk for hypothermia.
- pulse
  - rate
  - rhythm
  - quality
- respirations
  - rate
  - rhythm
  - quality
- blood pressure
  - causes of inaccurate blood pressure readings
- pulse oximetry
  - Oximeter may be placed on a fingertip, toe, or ear lobe.
- Document vital sign measurements in the client’s record.
- Report abnormal findings per facility protocol.

Administer medications per facility protocol.

Process/Skill Questions:

- What are the definitions of blood pressure, systolic, diastolic, apical pulse, radial pulse, oral temperature, rectal temperature, axillary temperature, and tympanic temperature?
- When do vital signs need to be measured and recorded?
- What are the normal ranges for blood pressure, pulse, respiration, and temperature?
- What are the factors that influence blood pressure, pulse, and temperature?
- What are the proper techniques for taking blood pressure, pulse, respiration, and temperature?
- What factors help an MA determine the site of temperature measurement?
- What circumstances alert the need to immediately report vital signs?