Head-to-Toe Assessment Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1250 words

Head-to-Toe Assessment - Essay Example For this purpose, a disposable, electronic or tympanic thermometer is required (Amugi-crouch& Meurier, 2011). Since temperature of the patient is within such a narrow range and is required to take accurately, the presence of a thermometer is essential, as it cannot be measured without it. Pulse is measured directly by the monitor that is used to measure other vital signs. However, if the machine is not available, it can be felt by palpating the pads of the first three fingers against the patient’s wrist and counting the pulse beats in one minute, starting from zero. Normal Findings: Temperature of the patient is between 36-37.5Â °C.Normal pulse rate is 60-100 (mean of 70) beats per minute. The systolic blood pressure normally ranges from 100-140mmHg. The diastolic blood pressure, on the other hand normally ranges from 60-90 mmHg. Abnormal Findings: Hyperthermia, pyrexia or fever occurs when the temperature exceeds 38Â °C. An excessively high temperature- such as above 40Â °C is known as hyperpyrexia. Hypothermia where in the temperature of the patient is below 35Â °C A pulse rate of under 60 beats per minute is termed bradycardia and may occur in hypoxia, ischemic heart disease etc. A pulse rate of over 100 beats per minute is termed as tachycardia. It may occur in stress, anxiety, pyrexia and pain (Amugi-crouch & Meurier, 2011).Hypertension occurs when the blood pressure readings remain consistently over 140mmHg for systolic and 90mmHg for diastolic blood pressure. It may result from the excess consumption of caffeine and in excessively cold environments. Hypotension occurs when the blood pressure readings fall below 100mmHg for systolic and 60mmHg for diastolic blood pressure (Talley & O’Connor, 2009). It may result because of shock, pulmonary embolus and cardiac failure (LeMone et al 2012). Nursing Plan in abnormal findings: The plan taken will be primarily to