Vital signs are a general term for body temperature, pulse, respiration, and blood pressure.

1. Normal body temperature

2. Heating classification

Low heat 37.3-38.0 ℃

Moderate heat 38.1-39.0 ℃

High heat 39.1-41.0 ℃

Ultra high heat above 41 ° C

3. Common heat types

(1) Persistent fever: The body temperature remains around 39-40 ℃ for several days or weeks, with a 24-hour fluctuation range of no more than 1 ℃. Commonly seen in pneumococcal pneumonia, typhoid fever, etc.

(2) Relaxed fever: The body temperature is above 39 ℃, with a temperature difference of over 1 ℃ within 24 hours. When the body temperature is at its lowest, it is still above normal levels. Commonly seen in sepsis, rheumatic fever, purulent diseases, etc.

(3) Intermittent fever: The body temperature suddenly rises to above 39 ℃, lasts for several hours or more, and then drops to normal or below normal. After an interval, the body temperature rises again and repeatedly occurs, namely the alternating period of high fever and no fever. Commonly seen in areas such as malaria.

(4) Irregular heating: The heating is irregular and has an indefinite duration. It is commonly seen in influenza, cancerous fever, etc.

3. Type of thermometer

(1) Glass mercury thermometer: The most common thermometer can be divided into three types based on the convenience of measuring different parts of the human body: anal thermometer (with a thick round head), axillary thermometer (with a thin flat head), and oral thermometer (with a thin round head).

(2) Electronic thermometer: A new product that has gradually been widely used in the past decade. The temperature is displayed digitally, without the problems of traditional mercury thermometers such as easy breakage, mercury pollution, and difficulty in reading. It can be used to measure anal temperature, axillary temperature, or oral temperature.

(3) Chip or dot matrix thermometer: This is a temperature measuring paper that can be used repeatedly, is easy to carry, and changes color based on body temperature. Due to its small size, it is not possible to accurately measure body temperature. After measurement, the green dot will turn black to indicate body temperature, and it will gradually return to green after 20 seconds. Features: This thermometer is not expensive, has a small size, is easy to carry and store, and has very little pollution. It is particularly suitable for medical institutions and can be used once to avoid cross infection.

(4) Nipple thermometer: It can take the body temperature while comforting the baby, and has the same appearance as a baby pacifier. If you suspect the baby has a fever, just put it in the child's mouth and suck it to measure the body temperature.

(5) Infrared ear temperature gun, forehead temperature gun: This is an electronic infrared thermometer that can provide forehead temperature, ear temperature, room temperature, and time, and accurate results can be obtained in just 1 second. Due to its high price, it has not been widely used in households and is now mostly used for measuring body temperature in public places.

2、 Pulse rate: Refers to the number (frequency) of pulses per minute. The pulse rate of normal adults in a quiet state is 60-100 beats per minute.

1. Abnormal pulse rate

(1) Tachycardia (tachycardia): In adults, the pulse rate exceeds 100 beats per minute, commonly seen in fever, hyperthyroidism, heart failure, etc.

(2) Bradycardia (bradycardia): In adults, the pulse rate is less than 60 beats per minute, commonly seen as elevated intracranial pressure, atrioventricular block, hypothyroidism, etc.

2. Abnormal rhythm

(1) Intermittent pulse: In a series of normal regular pulses, an early and weak pulse occurs, followed by a longer interval (compensatory interval) than normal. If there is a premature contraction after every other or two normal beats, the former is called a duplex rhythm, and the latter is called a triplet rhythm. Commonly seen in various organic heart diseases.

(2) Short pulse (short pulse): The pulse rate is less than the heart rate within the same unit of time. Under normal circumstances, the pulse rate and heart rate are consistent. The characteristic is that the heart rate is completely irregular, the heart rate varies in speed, and the strength of the heart sound varies. Commonly seen in patients with atrial fibrillation, the more congested the pulse, the more severe the arrhythmia.

3、 Blood pressure

1. Basic concept: Systolic blood pressure: The highest value at which arterial blood pressure rises during ventricular contraction. Diastolic blood pressure: The lowest point at which arterial blood pressure drops during the end of ventricular diastole. Pulse pressure: The difference between systolic and diastolic blood pressure. Normal blood pressure: systolic blood pressure 90-139 mmHg, diastolic blood pressure 60-89 mmHg, pulse pressure 30-40 mmHg. Hypertension: In adults aged 18 and above, systolic blood pressure ≥ 140 mmHg and/or diastolic blood pressure ≥ 90 mmHg without the use of antihypertensive drugs.

4、 Breathing

1. Abnormal frequency

(1) Tachypnea (shortness of breath): Respiratory frequency exceeding 24 times/min, commonly seen in fever, pain, hyperthyroidism, etc.

(2) Respiratory bradycardia: The respiratory rate is less than 12 breaths per minute, commonly seen in cases of increased intracranial pressure and barbiturate drug poisoning.

2. Depth anomaly

(1) Deep breathing (Cushman breathing): Deep and regular breathing, seen in diabetes ketoacidosis and uremic acidosis.

(2) Shallow and irregular breathing, sometimes resembling a sigh. Found in respiratory muscle paralysis, dying patients, etc.

3. Abnormal rhythm

(1) Tidal breathing (Chen Shi breathing): Breathing gradually changes from shallow slow to deep fast, then from deep fast to shallow slow, and after a period of breathing pause (5-20 seconds), the periodic changes of the above process begin to repeat, and the form is like the fluctuation of tide. It is commonly seen in neurological diseases such as encephalitis, meningitis, and elevated intracranial pressure.

(2) Intermittent breathing (Biot breathing): characterized by a sudden cessation of breathing after a few regular breaths, followed by a short interval before resuming breathing. Breathing and breathing pauses occur alternately. It is more severe than tidal breathing and has a worse prognosis, often occurring before death.

4. Abnormal sound

(1) Cicada like breathing: It is characterized by the production of a very high cicada-like sound during inhalation, which is caused by blockage near the vocal cords, making it difficult to inhale air. Commonly seen in laryngeal edema, foreign bodies in the throat, etc.

(2) Snoring breathing: manifested as a loud snoring sound during breathing, caused by the accumulation of secretions in the trachea or bronchi. Commonly seen in comatose patients.

5. Difficulty breathing

(1) Inhalatory dyspnea: Significant difficulty in inhaling, prolonged inspiratory time, and appearance of triple concave sign (depression in the sternal fossa, clavicular fossa, and intercostal space during inhalation). Commonly seen in cases of tracheal obstruction, foreign body in the trachea, laryngeal edema, etc.

(2) Exhalatory dyspnea: Exhalation is difficult and the exhalation time is prolonged. Commonly seen in bronchial asthma and obstructive pulmonary emphysema.

(3) Mixed dyspnea: Both inhalation and exhalation experience difficulty, and the breathing rate increases. Commonly seen in severe pneumonia, widespread pulmonary fibrosis, extensive atelectasis, and massive pleural effusion.

来源：丁香园