Academic Medical Home - Comer Pediatrics
Pediatric 101 – Vital Signs
Revised 05/17/2011
Basic Vital Sign – Blood Pressure (BP)
Temperature (T)
Normal:
Rectal T: < 100.4F
Axial/oral T: <99.5F
Celsius to Fahrenheit Conversion
o
C 35
36
37
38
39
o
F 95.0 96.8 98.6 100.4 102.2
Age
40
41
104.0
42
105.8 107.6
Heart Rate/Pulse & Respiratory Rate
Normal Values:
Age
Premature
0-3mo
3-6mo
6-12mo
1-3 yr
3-6 yr
6-12yr
12+yr
P (at rest)
Beats/min
RR (at rest)
Breaths/min
120-170
100-150
90-120
80-120
70-110
65-110
60-95
55-85
40-70
35-55
30-45
25-40
20-30
20-25
14-22
12- 18
Ref: Nelson 17th ed.
Measure in 15 - 30 seconds (if 15 seconds, multiply by 4;
if 30 seconds, multiply by 2). Assess these vital signs when
the child is resting quietly or sleeping if possible, if agitated
or crying make a note.
Use a stethoscope to measure heart rate in children less than
2yrs old
Vital Sign – Oxygen Saturation
Normal Values: 95% and above at room air
Vital Sign – Pain Perception
Wong-Baker Pain Scale can be used in children >3yrs old
Premature
0-3mo
3-6mo
6-12mo
1 yr
2 yr
4 yr
6 yr
8 yr
10 yr
12 yr
14 yr
16 yr
17 yr
BP (at rest)
90th percentile by 50th height
(systolic/diastolic)
F
M
55-75/35-45
65-85/45-55
70-90/50-65
80-100/55-65
100 / 54
99 / 52
101 / 59
102 / 57
104 / 66
107 / 65
108 / 70
110 / 70
111 / 72
112 / 73
115 / 74
115 / 75
119 / 76
120 / 76
122 / 78
125 / 78
124 / 80
130 / 80
125 / 80
132 / 82
Hypotension
<60 mm Hg for neonates
<70 mm Hg from 1 mo–1 yr;
<70 mm Hg + 2 x age from 1–10 yr
<90 mm Hg if older than age 10 yr
Ref:
BP for infants 0-12 mo
Nelson 17th ed.
BP for children 1-17 yrs
The Harriet Lane Handbook 18th ed. 2009
Paediatric Cardiology . Anderson R et al. 3rd ed. Churchhill
Livingstone, 2010
Nadas’ Pediatric cardiology. Keane, F et al. 2nd ed. Elsevier Inc,
2006
http://www.cc.nih.gov/ccc/pedweb/pedsstaff/bptable1.PDF
http://www.cc.nih.gov/ccc/pedweb/pedsstaff/bptable2.PDF
DCAM Nurse Triage
Well- Child Visit Triage
Children <=2 yrs: Wt, Lt, HC, Temp
Children ≥ 3 yrs: Wt, Ht, BP, Temp
Blood Pressure Measurement for
Be sure to note how many points the assessment is
http://painconsortium.nih.gov/pain_scales/index.html
Well Check-Up and sick visits : ≥ 3 years
Headache and chest pain, ADHD management
Oxygen Saturation Measurement only for patients
with wheezing or difficult breathing
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