TEACH FOR NURSES LESSON PLAN
Chapter 10: Vital Signs
CHAPTER OBJECTIVES
1. Describe various routes of temperature measurement and special considerations for each route.
2. Describe the four qualities considered when one assesses the pulse.
3. Describe the appropriate procedure for assessing normal respirations.
STUDENT RESOURCES
understand
• Textbook Chapter 10
• Sherpath for Medical-Surgical Nursing*
• Animations (Evolve website)
• Answer Keys: Study Guide & Lab Manual
10-2
apply
• Case Studies (Evolve)
• Elsevier Adaptive Quizzing*
INSTRUCTOR RESOURCES
before class
• Nursing Curriculum Standards (below)
in class
• PowerPoint Presentations (Evolve)
• Image Collection (Evolve)
* Sold separately from textbook.
TEACHING STRATEGIES
Content Focus
Content Highlights
Learning Activities
OBJECTIVE DATA
VITAL SIGNS
Temperature
Using a volunteer,
demonstrate the proper
use of the various
temperature
measurement devices.
• Discussion Topic: Discuss infection control practices in relation to measuring vital signs.
• Activity: Have variously sized sphygmomanometers available. Have students take pressure on the
same person using inappropriately sized cuffs and note the difference in readings obtained. Also,
have students compare blood pressures taken directly on an arm and over clothing such as a sweater
or sweatshirt.
10-3
TEACHING STRATEGIES
Content Focus
Content Highlights
Learning Activities
DEVELOPMENTAL
COMPETENCE
taking a pulse, have
students try it on each
other. Discuss bradycardia
Demonstrate how to
include counting
respirations in with
counting radial pulses
without making the
patient aware. Discuss
Table 10.2.
Bring in the various sizes of
cuffs used on adults and
infants. With the aid of a
10-4
TEACHING STRATEGIES
Content Focus
Content Highlights
Learning Activities
collect general information
on an infant.
ADDITIONAL TECHNIQUES
Measurement of Oxygen
Saturation
Demonstrate the use of a
pulse oximeter with both
finger and earlobe probes.
• Online Activity: Have the students watch several YouTube videos of the additional techniques listed
in this section. Have them discuss and critique in class.
IN-CLASS/ONLINE CASE STUDY
L.G. is a 5-year-old boy who is being seen in the pediatric clinic for a yearly physical examination.
Subjective Data
Patient is accompanied by parent (mother)
Mother states child takes no medications and is healthy
Objective Data
Vital signs: T 37 P 124 R 12 BP 104/64
Weight: 35 lb
Height: 52 inches
Immunizations: Up to date
10-5
Questions
1. What baseline indicators are necessary for this patient?
2. Are the vital signs within normal limits? Why or why not?
3. How should a 5-year-old child be assessed?
Answers
1. Baseline indicators of a patient’s health status include the measurement of vital signs (temperature, heart rate, respiratory rate, blood
NURSING CURRICULUM STANDARDS
QSEN/NLN COMPETENCIES
• Patient-Centered Care/Human Flourishing
NURSING CONCEPTS
The following conceptual themes and specific concepts match those presented in Giddens, J. F. (2017). Concepts for nursing practice (2nd ed.).
St. Louis: Elsevier. The specific exemplars chosen and listed below for each concept have been tailored specifically to correspond to the Jarvis
textbook.
THEME: Attributes and Resources
10-6
• Concept: Development
o Exemplar: Developmental Competence
BSN ESSENTIALS
• Essential IX: Baccalaureate Generalist Nursing Practice
ANSWERS TO QUESTIONS IN THE STUDY GUIDE
Note: Answers to these questions can be found on Evolve site. Click here.