SUBJECT: BASIC HEALTHCARE CORE
UPDATED VITAL SIGNS VOCABULARY ACCURATE
&VERIFIED
Objective
1. Vital signs are important indicators of health states of the body.
2. Vital signs are defined as various determinations that provide information about the basic
body conditions of the patient.
3. By the end of this lesson every student will be able to define all of the words in this Vital
Signs Vocabulary.
4. Students will be able to identify the medical equipment normally used by Health Care
professionals in assessing a patient’s vital signs.
5. Students will be able to demonstrate the proper procedures to take a set of Vital Signs on a
partner and accurately demonstrate that skill to the teacher in under 3 minutes.
Medical Equipment:
In order to obtain a complete set of vital signs for a patient, you will be required to know and use
the following basic medical equipment:
1. Stethoscope
2. Thermometer
3. Blood Pressure Cuff
4. Glucometer
5. Watch with second hand
MEDICAL EQUIPMENT
PAGE 1 OF 14 TOPIC: VITAL SIGNS
, SUBJECT: BASIC HEALTHCARE CORE
DEFINITIONS:
Stethoscope: The stethoscope is an instrument used for Auscultation, or listening to the sounds
produced by the body. It is used primarily to listen to the lungs, heart and intestinal tract. It is
also used to listen to blood flow in peripheral vessels and the heart sounds of developing fetuses
in pregnant women.
Thermometer: Medical thermometers are used for measuring human body temperature, with
the tip of the thermometer being inserted either into the mouth (oral temperature), under the
armpit (axillary temperature), or into the rectum via the anus (rectal temperature).
Blood Pressure Cuff: A sphygmomanometer or blood pressure cuff is a device used to
measure blood pressure, comprising an inflatable cuff to restrict blood flow, and a mercury or
mechanical manometer to measure the pressure. It is always used in conjunction with a means to
determine at what pressure blood flow is just starting, and at what pressure it is unimpeded.
Manual sphygmomanometers are used in conjunction with a stethoscope.
Glucometer: A glucose meter (or glucometer) is a medical device for determining the
approximate concentration of glucose in the blood. It is a key element of home blood glucose
monitoring (HBGM) by people with diabetes mellitus or hypoglycemia. A small drop of blood,
obtained by pricking the skin with a lancet, is placed on a disposable test strip that the meter
reads and uses to calculate the blood glucose level. The meter then displays the level in mg/dl
(milligrams per deciliter)
Watch with a sweep second hand: Traditionally, watches have displayed the time in analog form,
with a numbered dial upon which are mounted at least a rotating hour hand and a longer, rotating
minute hand. Many watches also incorporate a third hand that shows the current second of the
current minute.
Measurable Vital Signs
• Body Temperature
• Pulse
• Blood Pressure
• Respiratory Rate
Two vital signs that may be important but are not considered “Major Vital Signs” are Body
Weight and Blood Glucose Level (Blood Sugar Level).
PAGE 2 OF 14 TOPIC: VITAL SIGNS
UPDATED VITAL SIGNS VOCABULARY ACCURATE
&VERIFIED
Objective
1. Vital signs are important indicators of health states of the body.
2. Vital signs are defined as various determinations that provide information about the basic
body conditions of the patient.
3. By the end of this lesson every student will be able to define all of the words in this Vital
Signs Vocabulary.
4. Students will be able to identify the medical equipment normally used by Health Care
professionals in assessing a patient’s vital signs.
5. Students will be able to demonstrate the proper procedures to take a set of Vital Signs on a
partner and accurately demonstrate that skill to the teacher in under 3 minutes.
Medical Equipment:
In order to obtain a complete set of vital signs for a patient, you will be required to know and use
the following basic medical equipment:
1. Stethoscope
2. Thermometer
3. Blood Pressure Cuff
4. Glucometer
5. Watch with second hand
MEDICAL EQUIPMENT
PAGE 1 OF 14 TOPIC: VITAL SIGNS
, SUBJECT: BASIC HEALTHCARE CORE
DEFINITIONS:
Stethoscope: The stethoscope is an instrument used for Auscultation, or listening to the sounds
produced by the body. It is used primarily to listen to the lungs, heart and intestinal tract. It is
also used to listen to blood flow in peripheral vessels and the heart sounds of developing fetuses
in pregnant women.
Thermometer: Medical thermometers are used for measuring human body temperature, with
the tip of the thermometer being inserted either into the mouth (oral temperature), under the
armpit (axillary temperature), or into the rectum via the anus (rectal temperature).
Blood Pressure Cuff: A sphygmomanometer or blood pressure cuff is a device used to
measure blood pressure, comprising an inflatable cuff to restrict blood flow, and a mercury or
mechanical manometer to measure the pressure. It is always used in conjunction with a means to
determine at what pressure blood flow is just starting, and at what pressure it is unimpeded.
Manual sphygmomanometers are used in conjunction with a stethoscope.
Glucometer: A glucose meter (or glucometer) is a medical device for determining the
approximate concentration of glucose in the blood. It is a key element of home blood glucose
monitoring (HBGM) by people with diabetes mellitus or hypoglycemia. A small drop of blood,
obtained by pricking the skin with a lancet, is placed on a disposable test strip that the meter
reads and uses to calculate the blood glucose level. The meter then displays the level in mg/dl
(milligrams per deciliter)
Watch with a sweep second hand: Traditionally, watches have displayed the time in analog form,
with a numbered dial upon which are mounted at least a rotating hour hand and a longer, rotating
minute hand. Many watches also incorporate a third hand that shows the current second of the
current minute.
Measurable Vital Signs
• Body Temperature
• Pulse
• Blood Pressure
• Respiratory Rate
Two vital signs that may be important but are not considered “Major Vital Signs” are Body
Weight and Blood Glucose Level (Blood Sugar Level).
PAGE 2 OF 14 TOPIC: VITAL SIGNS
