Vital signs or Cardinal signs – measurement of physiologic functioning, specially

• Body temperature
• Pulse
• Respiration
• Blood pressure
• May include pain and pulse oximetry

a. Body temperature – balance between the heat produced and the heat lost from
the body.

Kinds of Body Temperature

• Core Temperature – the temperature of the deep tissues of the body
• Surface Temperature – the temperature of the subcutaneous and fat

5 factors that affect the body’s heat reproduction

1. Basal metabolic rate (BMR)
2. Muscle activity
3. Thyroxin output
4. Epinephrine, Norphinephrine and sympathetic stimulation
5. Fever

Factors affecting loss of the heat from the body

1. Radiation – transfer of heat from the surface of one object to the surface of
another without contact between the two objects
2. Conduction – transfer of heat from one molecule to a molecule of lower
temperature
3. Convection – the dispersion of heat by air currents
4. Vaporation – continuous evaporation of moisture from the respiratory tract and
from the mucosa of the mouth and the skin

3 Routes in temperature Assessment

Routes Ranges Minutes

Rectal 37 – 38 1 minute
Oral 36.5 – 37.5 2-3 minutes
Axillary 36 – 37 5-8 minutes

• Mercury-in-glass thermometers are the traditionally used thermometer.