Temperature:

98.6F to 100.4F (36C to 38C) Older adult is at the lower end of the temperature. Decrease in sweat glands in older adult = high sweating at high temperature = hyperthermia.

Pulse Rate:
60-100 beats per min. Difficult to palpate pulse in obese- use Doppler device. Older adult = decrease heart rate at rest. Older adult = takes both long to increase or decrease heart rate. Apical heart rate in women - lift breast and place stethoscope at the fifth intercostals space.

Blood Pressure:
Systolic: 90-140 (120-140) mmHg Diastolic: 60-90 (80-90) mmHg Select appropriate cuff size. Older adult = increase in systolic pressure b/c of vessel elasticity. Diastolic remains the same. Older adult change position slowly and wait to avoid hypotension.

Respirations:
12-20 breathe per min. Older adult: o Restrict chest expansion and decrease tidal volume. o Use abdominal muscle more. o Shortness of breath if an event requires an increased demand of oxygen. o Difficult to ID an oximeter probe site b/c decrease vascular.