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🩺 Vital Signs

Vital Signs Reference

Normal vital sign ranges by age group with abnormal values and clinical significance.

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Adult Vital Signs

Test / Parameter	Normal Range	Clinical Notes
Temperature	36.1–37.2°C (97–99°F)	Fever: >38°C (100.4°F). Hypothermia: <35°C (95°F).
Heart Rate	60–100 bpm	<60: bradycardia. >100: tachycardia.
Respiratory Rate	12–20 breaths/min	<12: bradypnea. >20: tachypnea. Most sensitive vitals sign.
Blood Pressure	<120/80 mmHg	Stage 1 HTN: ≥130/80. Stage 2: ≥140/90. Crisis: ≥180/120.
SpO2	95–100%	<94%: supplement O2. <90%: critical. COPD: 88–92%.
Pain	0/10	"5th vital sign." Always assess and document.

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Pediatric Vital Signs

Test / Parameter	Normal Range	Clinical Notes
Newborn (0–28d) HR	100–160 bpm	RR: 30–60. SBP: 60–90. Temp: 36.5–37.5°C.
Infant (1–12mo) HR	100–150 bpm	RR: 30–50. SBP: 70–100.
Toddler (1–3yr) HR	90–130 bpm	RR: 20–30. SBP: 80–110.
School-age (6–12) HR	70–110 bpm	RR: 18–30. SBP: 80–120.
Adolescent (12+) HR	60–100 bpm	Approaches adult values.

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Abnormal Patterns

Test / Parameter	Normal Range	Clinical Notes
Pulsus Paradoxus	>10 mmHg drop on inspiration	Cardiac tamponade, severe asthma, COPD.
Pulsus Alternans	Alternating strong/weak pulse	Severe heart failure.
widened PP	Pulse pressure >40	Aortic regurgitation, hyperthyroid, fever.
Narrowed PP	Pulse pressure <25	Heart failure, aortic stenosis, hypovolemia.
Orthostatic	SBP drop ≥20 or HR ↑≥20 on standing	Hypovolemia, dehydration, antihypertensives.

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MAP Calculation

Test / Parameter	Normal Range	Clinical Notes
MAP Formula	MAP = DBP + 1/3(SBP − DBP)	OR: MAP = (SBP + 2×DBP) ÷ 3.
Normal MAP	70–100 mmHg	<65: inadequate organ perfusion. Target >65 in sepsis.
Example	BP 120/80 → MAP = 80 + 13 = 93 mmHg	Adequate perfusion.

vital signsblood pressureheart raterespiratory ratetemperaturepediatric

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