Normal Vital Signs

[mjune]

I am in my third year as a nursing student, but sad to say, I really don't know what are normal values of vital signs for adult and for children.

Please correct me if I'm wrong,

I have known that for an adult the ff are normal values:

• T-36.5-37.5
• P- 60-100
• R- 18-20
• BP- 120-180

Is that right?

What about for children? and for babies....

When do I say that my patient had hypertension and not?

Please help.

[Daytonite, BSN, RN]

Adults:

• normal temperature: oral (96.8f - 99.5f), rectal (97.3f - 100.2f), tympanic (97.2f - 100.0f)
• normal pulse: 60 - 100
• normal respirations: 12 - 20
• normal blood pressure: 100 - 139/60 - 89
• reference: expert 10-minute physical examinations, 1997, mosby's

Newborn:

• axillary temperature: 97.7f - 99.5f
• pulse: 120 - 160
• respirations: 30 - 60
• blood pressure: 73/55 systolic

One-year old:

• axillary temperature: 97.0f - 99.0f
• pulse: 90 - 130
• respirations: 20 - 40
• blood pressure: 90/56 systolic

Toddler:

• axillary temperature: 97.5f - 98.6f
• pulse: 80 - 120
• respirations: 20 - 30
• blood pressure: 92/55 systolic

Pre-schooler:

• axillary temperature: 97.5f - 98.6f
• pulse: 70 - 110
• respirations: 16 - 22
• blood pressure: 95/57 systolic

School age child:

• oral temperature: 97.5f - 98.6f
• pulse: 60 - 100
• respirations: 16 - 20
• blood pressure: 107/64 systolic

Adolescent:

• oral temperature: 97.5f - 98.6f
• pulse: 55 - 90
• respirations: 12 - 20
• blood pressure: 121/70 systolic

[vina2550]

mjune said:

I am in my third year as a nursing student, but sad to say, I really don't know what are normal values of vital signs for adult and for children.

Please correct me if I'm wrong,

I have known that for an adult the ff are normal values:

• T-36.5-37.5
• P- 60-100
• R- 18-20
• BP- 120-180

Is that right?

What about for children? and for babies....

When do I say that my patient had hypertension and not?

Please help.

Hypertension is if patient has sustained elevated bp of 140/90

[Jules A, MSN]

I also refer back to the client's established base line when considering what is normal or abnormal for them.

[PSicard, CCEMT-P]

Adult B/P have various ranges. Below 100 systolic is considered hypotensive regardless of whether or not it is "normal" for the patient. Up to 120/80 is considered normal. 121/81 to 139/89 is considered pre-hypertension (if the patient's B/P is in this range [at rest] for at least 3 recordings in a week's time.) 140/90 and higher is considered hypertensive (if the patient's B/P is in this range [at rest] for at least 3 recordings in a week's time). This information I have read over time researching this topic.

Depending on what text book you read, 60-100 is a normal pulse range or 60-90 is a normal pulse range for adults. 12-20 RR is the range for breathing in the adult. Various texts and the internet will give you text book versions of V/S ranges for all ages. Whichever text you use, the numbers will be close. Back to the rule...monitor the patient... if your recorded V/S don't match up with the text's ranges. Hope this helps.

[debraann918, MSN, RN]

Hypotension is rarely clinically significant unless the client is symptomatic, i.e. they are dizzy, weak or experiencing syncopal (passing out) or near syncopal episodes. If a client's BP is 85/50 (as mine often is), they report that is a normal pressure for them them, and they deny symptoms, that BP is usually fine. Though there are some complications with extremely low BP they are not generally a concern in a healthy, active adult.