Vitals

Before you work with a patient, chart review the vitals range set by the doctor in the patient’s managed orders. The appropriate vitals range will vary from patient to patient. For example, stroke patients may be given permissive hypertension ranges whereas aortic aneurysm repairs may have a lower systolic BP limit. Eventually, you will begin to learn which diagnoses typically have special vitals parameters.

Vital parameters may also be written in the physician notes and not updated yet in the managed orders, so it is important to contact the medical team if the orders are not consistent with the doctors notes.

In general,

• HR ok range 60-100
• High range BP 180/100, Low range BP 100/50
• SpO2 > 92%

Check vitals before mobilizing, and try to take them when the patient is laying down (supine), sitting and standing. These are called orthostatic BP readings. If patient vitals are out of range, notify nursing before proceeding further.