Question

how can you determine if a patient is hypertensive or has a rapid pulse? Is it important for you as a technologist to be able to accurately determine if a patient has normal or abnormal vital signs?

Answer 1

• Hypertension can be identified by measuring with the use of spygmomanometer. Rapid pulse rate can be identified by counting the pulse rate for 1 minute by the palpation using three fingers or by pulse oximeter.
• Hypertension is different from rapid pulse rate (tachycardia).
• Tachycardia means increase in the number of heartbeat. The signs and symptoms of tachycardia are palpitation, dizziness,fainting, shortness of breath, chest pain and the patients may have normal blood pressure.
• Hypertension means higher pressure on the blood vessel wall. The signs and symptoms of hypertension includes headache, vision problems, chest pain,confusion sometimes nose bleed and the patient may not have tachycardia.
• Absolutely, vital signs are most important one to be measured accurately as it show abnormalities of important body system such as respiratory system, cardiovascular system, body temperature and helps to determine the urgency of treatment.(vital signs indicates- Temperature, pulse rate, respiratory rate, blood pressure, SPO2).