Vital Signs
=Temperature
=Pulse
=Respiration
=Blood Pressure
=The fifth vital sign- observing and reporting the level of pain
Do not take an oral temperature on a
person who…..
• Is unconscious
• Is using O2
• Is confused or disoriented
• Is paralyzed from stroke
• Has facial trauma
• Is likely to have a seizure
• Is younger than six years old
• Has sores, redness, swelling, or pain in her mouth
• Has an injury to the face or neck
Pain Management
• Pain is different for
each person.
• What one person thinks
is painful is not for
another.
• Treat patients c/o pain
seriously.
• Immediately report
accurate. information to
the nurse.
What to ask the client>>>
• Where is the pain
• When did the pain
start?
• Is the pain mild,
moderate, or severe
• Rate pain on scale of 1-
10 Ten the worst
• Ask the resident to
describe the pain
• Ask what he or she was
doing before the pain
started.
Warm and Cold Applications
• Heat relieves pain and
muscular tension
• Decreases swelling,
elevates temperature in
the tissues and
increases blood flow.
• Increased blood flow
brings more oxygen and
nutrients to the tissues
for healing.
Warm and Cold Application
• Cold can help stop
bleeding.
• It prevents swelling
and reduces pain.
• Cold helps bring
down high fevers
Warm and Cold Applications
Warm and dry applications may be dry or moist.
• Types of moist • Types of dry
applications are: applications are
• Compresses (warm or • Aquamatic K-pad (warm
cold) or cold)
• Soaks (warm or cold) • Electric heating pad
• Tub baths (warm) (warm)
• Sitz bath (warm) • Disposable warm pack
• Ice packs (cold) • Ice bag
• Disposable cold pack
Warm and Cold Applications
• Report these to the nurse:
• Excessive redness
• Pain
• Blisters
• Numbness
• Hot opens (blood vessels) and cold closes
(blood vessels)
• Only leave warm or cold applications on
affected area for no longer than 20 minutes
Sitz Bath
• This is a warm soak of the
perineal area.
• Sitz baths clean perineal
wounds and reduces
inflammation and pain
• Increases circulation.
• Sitz baths can be disposable
that sits on a commode.
• Temperature of water is
1000- 1040F
• The resident must be
checked every five minutes
and not left in water more
than 20 minutes.
Warm and Cold Applications
• Moisture strengthens the effects of heat
and cold.
• Observe area for redness, pain, or
numbness