, Basic nursing skills
Ability to obtain vital signs- also called cardinal signs
Vital signs are indicators of a patients health status. RT’s do not take vital signs on the majority of patients,
but when the need does arise it is often in response to an urgent situation
Vital signs that are standard in medical environments include an assessment of:
• body temperature
• Pulse or heart rate
TPR
• Respirations
• Blood pressure
Vital signs must be measured if the patient is having an interventional/invasive procedure and the department
does not have a radiology nurse available
The vitals should also be taken before and after a patient receives meds in the imaging
department. Also take if patient is not feeling well
A physicians order is not required for the MIT to take the vital signs
The MIT must always ensure that the sphygmomanometer, a stethoscope, and the equipment
necessary for vital signs are functional
Homeostasis: stable or state of equilibrium of the internal environment of the body
Normal vital signs for adults and children
Temperature (T): physiologic balance between the temperatures produced in the body tissues and
heat loss by the body
Body temperature is controlled by the basal region of the diencephalon of the
brain called hypothalamus. Humans are homeothermic (warm, blooded and
maintain body temperature independently of their environment)
1. Anterior aspect of hypothalamus controls heat dissipation.
2. Posterior aspect of hypothalamus controls the heat conservation
Metabolic activity produces heat and increases body temperature:
• usually lower in the morning
• Higher after exercise As the body temperature increases, the bodies need
• Higher after eating for oxygen increases.
• Higher during stressful event (psychogenic fever)
Ability to obtain vital signs- also called cardinal signs
Vital signs are indicators of a patients health status. RT’s do not take vital signs on the majority of patients,
but when the need does arise it is often in response to an urgent situation
Vital signs that are standard in medical environments include an assessment of:
• body temperature
• Pulse or heart rate
TPR
• Respirations
• Blood pressure
Vital signs must be measured if the patient is having an interventional/invasive procedure and the department
does not have a radiology nurse available
The vitals should also be taken before and after a patient receives meds in the imaging
department. Also take if patient is not feeling well
A physicians order is not required for the MIT to take the vital signs
The MIT must always ensure that the sphygmomanometer, a stethoscope, and the equipment
necessary for vital signs are functional
Homeostasis: stable or state of equilibrium of the internal environment of the body
Normal vital signs for adults and children
Temperature (T): physiologic balance between the temperatures produced in the body tissues and
heat loss by the body
Body temperature is controlled by the basal region of the diencephalon of the
brain called hypothalamus. Humans are homeothermic (warm, blooded and
maintain body temperature independently of their environment)
1. Anterior aspect of hypothalamus controls heat dissipation.
2. Posterior aspect of hypothalamus controls the heat conservation
Metabolic activity produces heat and increases body temperature:
• usually lower in the morning
• Higher after exercise As the body temperature increases, the bodies need
• Higher after eating for oxygen increases.
• Higher during stressful event (psychogenic fever)
