TEMPERATURE, PULSE RATE AND RESPIRATORY RATE: PERFORMANCE CHECK LIST

I. Definitions

1. Temperature - is the degree of heat maintained by the body as measured by a predetermined scale. It is the balance between the heat production and heat loss of the body
2. Pulse - the rhythmic expansion of an artery produced by increased volume of blood forced into by contraction of the left ventricle at each heart beat
3. Respiration - the exhange of gases between an organism and its environment

II. Preparations
A tray lining containing:

1. A wide mouth container containing cotton balls soaked on soap solution
2. A wide mouth container with plain water
3. A wide mouth container with clean oral thermometer in disinfectant solution
4. A wide mouth container with clean dry cotton balls
5. A wide mouth container for soiled cotton balls
6. A watch with swift second hand
7. Paper and pencil
8. Hand towel

III. Procedure/Check list

ORAL TEMPERATURE

1. Wash hands
2. Explain procedure to patient
3. Obtain proper thermometer
4. Wipe thermometer bulb to stem
5. Check for proper lighting
6. Shake the thermometer down to 35 degrees
7. Place the thermometer under the tongue
8. Instruct to gently close the mouth
9. Leave in place for eight minutes
10. Remove thermometer
11. Wipe thermometer from stem to bulb
12. Read thermometer at eye level
13. Place thermometer in container
14. Record finding

AXILLARY TEMPERATURE

1. Wash hands
2. Explain procedure and elicit cooperation
3. Pat the axilla dry
4. Obtain proper thermometer
5. Wipe thermometer from bulb to stem
6. Shake the thermometer down to 35 degrees
7. Place the thermometer in the axilla directed upward. Place arm across the chest
8. Leave thermometer in place for ten minutes
9. Remove and wipe the thermometer from stem to bulb
10. Read at eye level
11. Place the thermometer in the container
12. Record on a paper
13. Fix the sleeves of the client
14. Wash hands

RADIAL PULSE

1. Wear watch with swift second hand
2. Explain procedure to patient
3. Place patient's arm across the chest
4. With gentle pressure, place first three fingers against the radial artery
5. Feel for pulsation
6. Count for one full minute
7. Record on a paper

RESPIRATION

1. With fingers still in place, after taking pulse rate, note the rise and fall of the pateint's chest
2. Count for one full minute
3. Record for one full minute
4. Transfer the readings in the patient's chart