Our body is a host to a lot of different organs that make up who we are. We keep a tab on how our bodies are doing by measuring different signs that make up our system. These signs are our bodies’ way of communicating how it is performing at stressful or ill times. We know this by the use of vital sign monitoring equipment.
These vital signs are an indication of possible illnesses and recovery that we might not be aware of otherwise. The four signs that are generally taken into account are blood pressure, pulse rate, temperature, and our breathing rate.
The monitor equipment is often used in hospitals, clinics, and even homes to keep a tab on patients and ensure that no complications arise suddenly. Here is a list of how the vital signs are taken and what they indicate:
• Temperature
Body temperature is the measure that most of us use to fathom if a person is running a fever. Our normal body temperature is normally 98.6 degrees Fahrenheit but according to some sources, it can range anywhere between ninety-seven to ninety-nine degrees Fahrenheit. The reason for this is it depends on the environment that we are in at that moment, and its temperature plays a role in determining our current temperature as well. If your temperature is high, you most probably have a fever, and if it’s really low, it’s known as hypothermia.
Our body temperature is normally taken through thermometers and is part of the monitor because it is essential to know any changes and what caused it.
• Pulse (Heart Rate)
This is extremely important to know as it tells us about any medical heart condition that we may have. Our pulse is the number of times our heart beats per minute. It should ideally be around 60 to 80 beats, but it varies depending on the sex, age, and type of the person. Our pulse rate should be even throughout the minute and not miss a beat. If the pulse is strong, it means that you have a heart condition which is why it is working extra hard.
This is a very strong indicator of heart disease hence the monitor records the pulse rate.
• Respiratory rate
This is used to check if the person has any respiratory problems such as asthma, pneumonia, lung disease or more. If our rate is less than 12 breaths or more than 25 in a minute, it indicates a problem.
This is also used to keep a constant tab on the patient through the monitor.
• Blood pressure
This is the pressure of the blood in your arteries. A high blood pressure will indicate a number of medical problems. Most commonly used to identify hypertension; blood pressure is a very vital part of our monitors as it can direct us to many problems which we didn’t know existed.
The Vital Sign monitoring equipment keeps a tab on all these signs to ensure that no complication is unforeseen and warns us about any change in the patient, so we are prepared to treat it. It is one of the most useful systems ever to be made and it has been evolving ever since.
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