Question

In each of the following scenarios, identify the vital sign that is abnormal and identify what could be the cause of the abnormal reading?

Agnes Simpson, 84 year old female, 3 days post-op Right total hip replacement.

V/S- T- 101.4, P-84, R-16, B/P132/86, O2 sat- 98% Room air

Abnormal vital:

Possible Reason for abnormal reading:  

Leroy Brown, 54 year old male, being seen in the pain clinic for a herniated disc of the lumbar spine.

V/S- T- 98.6, P-90, R-20, B/P 164/98, O2 sat- 97% Room air

Abnormal vital___________________________

Possible Reason for abnormal reading __________

Kylie Wills, 3 month old female, admitted to the pediatric unit with a diagnosis of RSV.

V/S- T- 98.9, P-148, R-62, O2 sat- 96% Room air

Abnormal vital___________________________

Possible Reason for abnormal reading ___________________________________________

Brandon White, 26 year old male, at physician’s office for routine physical. Brandon denies having any past medical history or reports of current problems. He denies smoking, illegal drug use, and alcohol use. He denies taking any medications at home. He enjoys playing basketball, running, and riding his bicycle.

V/S- T- 98.4, P-50, R-14, B/P 112/80, O2 sat- 100% Room air

Abnormal vital___________________________

Possible Reason for abnormal reading ___________________________________________

Mildred Harper, 68 year old female, admitted to the medical unit with a diagnosis of a COPD exacerbation. She has a history of smoking since she was 16 years old.

V/S- T- 98.0, P-76, R-22, B/P 128/78, O2 sat- 89% Room air

Abnormal vital___________________________

Possible Reason for abnormal reading

Answer 1

1. Temperature reading is abnormal. It indicates post operative wound infection.

2. Blood pressure reading is elevated indicating chronic pain secondary to herniated disc of the lumbar spine.

3. Tachypnea indicates troubled breathing secondary to Respiratory syncytial virus.

4. Normal vital paramaters

5. Hypoxia revealed by 89% of O2 saturation secondary to COPD