Measuring a Few of Your Vital Signs

Vital Signs Lab

Measuring a few of your vital signs

Objective:

--> To learn what blood pressure is and what it tells us about the body

--> To learn how to measure blood pressure accurately

--> To learn how the pulse comes about, and why it is necessary

--> To learn the correct way to take a pulse

--> To learn how to accurately measure someone's respiration rate

--> To learn how activity can affect the respiration rate of an individual

--> To learn how a person's normal activities affect the change in respiration

Vocabulary:

sphygmomanometer

systolic pressure

diastolic pressure

carotid pulse

radial pulse

apical pulse

Respiration

Procedure:

Part 1 Blood Pressure

1. Read the information about blood pressures and the steps on how to accurately take it with a sphygmomanometer and a stethoscope. Record the blood pressures measured in your group.

Part 2 Pulse and Respiration

1. Read the attached directions on the correct method of counting the rate of respiration and taking a pulse.

2. Measure a member of your groups pulse and respiration. Take each one for 30 seconds and then multiple by two. Do not inform them which one you are taking first. Have the person breath normally. Record both numbers in your data. You may take either the carotid pulse or radial pulse.

3. The person's whose rate of respiration measured should then run/jog in place for 30 seconds. Immediately sit back down.

4. Repeat step two. Record if the person is an athlete, singer, dancer, band member, or non-athletic person

Data:

Create a chart or a graph to show the groups blood pressures, respiration, and pulse rates. Be sure to specify which pulse the data is for.

Analysis:

1. What is the reading of a normal blood pressure?

2. What is the reading of high blood pressure? What can cause high blood pressure?

3. What are the effects of high blood pressure? Low blood pressure?

4. Which artery are you listening to when you are taking someone's blood pressure?

5. What is the range for a normal adults pulse?

6. Why should you not use your thumb to take a pulse?

7. Why do you think you should never push on both carotid arteries at the same time?

Conclusion:

Discuss how physical activity affect the pulse and respiration rate and if regular physical activity seems to affect blood pressure.

Conclusio