VITAL SIGNS

Vital signs

Vital signs include the heart beat, breathing rate, temperature, and blood pressure. These signs may be watched, measured, and monitored to check an individual's level of physical functioning.
Normal vital signs change with age, sex, weight, exercise tolerance, and condition.
Normal vital sign ranges for the average healthy adult while resting are:
Blood pressure: 90/60 mm/Hg to 120/80 mm/Hg
Breathing: 12 - 18 breaths per minute
Pulse: 60 - 100 beats per minute
Temperature: 97.8 - 99.1 degrees Fahrenheit / average 98.6 degrees Fahrenheit

Remember, normal adult vital signs may change with age, sex, weight, exercise tolerance, and physical conditioning. Let's take a look at a quick reference guide to normal adult vital signs:
Temperature:
Oral - 98.6 F
Axillary - 97.6 F
Rectal - 99.6 F

Respirations:
• 12 - 20

Pulse:
• 60 - 100

Blood Pressure:
• Systolic: 100 - 140
Diastolic: 60 – 90

Oxygen Saturation Level:
95% to 100%
Keep in mind that most people with COPD can function just fine on saturation levels as low as 90%.
Be sure to ask your doctor at which level she wants your oxygen saturation level to be.