Analysis of Orthostatic Vital Signs The purpose of this assignment was to measure, document and analyse six recordings of orthostatic blood pressure, orthostatic pulse and respiratory rate on my lab partner. Orthostatic Hypotension is a condition when there is a drop in systolic pressure of more than 20 mm Hg, or orthostatic pulse increases of 20 bpm or more which occurs due to a quick change to a standing position (Jarvis, pp. 163). Six recordings were taken over a certain period of time to better understand the trends of the vital signs.
The readings of vital signs data were taken by having my partner rest supine for one to three minutes and then the measurements with her sitting and then standing. The trend noticed over the first five readings on average and also when she was not stressed is, her blood pressure was lowest lying down. This is because the body does not have to work very hard to pump blood around the body, which is in the same horizontal plane. When the body then sits up, there is an increase in blood pressure and heart rate. This is due to the heart now working harder to pump blood around the body.
When a person rises to standing position there is slight drop in blood pressure because gravity causes blood to naturally pool about 300 to 800 mL in the lower extremities or leg causing a drop in blood pressure (Bradley & Davis, 2003). “Upon standing from a supine position, the normal response is an increase in heart rate to maintain blood pressure. ” (Tse,H. F. , et al, 2005) The autonomic nervous system tries to correct this by narrowing the blood vessels and therefore the blood pressure is maintained to its baseline. On average, her pulse rate was within the normal resting pulse rate (i. . 60-100). Her pulse rates were higher though within the normal range when she was stressed. Pulse rates are higher due to anxiety or stress (Jarvis, pp. 155). Her respiration was slow and regulated and was within the normal limit of adult (i. e. 10-20 bpm). When a person is resting or under normal conditions, our brain region called medulla subconsciously controls the expansion and retraction of our lungs by drawing in oxygen rich fresh air and breathing out carbon dioxide waste. The last readings of vital signs were taken after a physical exertion.
My partner ran up and down the stairs of our college building. When she came back to the room, I noticed that she was out of breath and her face was red. She mentioned, “I feel really hot now. ” The vital signs recorded that day were highest of all the readings. Physical activity or exercise increases cardiac output to meet the demand of body’s increased metabolism. Exercise also results in high blood pressure, pulse and respiration but returns to its baseline after 5 minutes of termination of the exercise (Jarvis, pp. 155). My partner pulse was faster and stronger after the exercise (98 bpm).
Pulse rates increases after exercise because the demand for oxygen-rich blood as the physical activity puts our circulatory system under continuous stress. The heart pumps more blood into the blood vessels and increases the pressure on the wall (Jarvis, 158). My partner’s respiration increased due to exercise and the rising and fall of her chest was very obvious. Our brain sense the increased need of oxygen-rich air and it speeds up the supply of oxygen to the body by expanding and retracting the lungs quickly when it observes the increased production of carbon dioxide. References Bradley, J. G. , & Davis, K.
A. , (2003). Orthostatic Hypotension. American FamilyPhysician. Retrieved from http://www. aafp. org/afp/2003/1215/p2393. html Jarvis, C. (2009). General Survey, Measurement, and Vital Signs. In Browne, A. J. , Luctkar- Flude, M. , & MacDonald-Jenkins, J. (Eds. ), Physical Examination & Health Assessment (pp. 155-162). Toronto: Saunders Elsevier. Tse, H. F. , et al (2005). Blood Pressure Response to Transition from Supine to Standing Posture Using an Orthostatic Response Algorithm. Academic Journal. Retrieved from http://web. ebscohost. com. rap. bibliocentre. ca/ehost/pdf? vid=3&hid=7&sid=3b4f83b0-
