Title: Weekly Lab Activities 6
Course: PHT 1200C Basic Patient Care > Section: Module 6

Students are required to attend the weekly lab session for this course. The lab sessions will allow students time to practice various skills. Each Lab Activity aligns with the corresponding module topic.

Competency Check Off forms may be required for this activity. The Lab Competency check-off form will be provided to the students by the instructor when they meet for lab. Please refer to the Competency Check-Off Form for further details.

There may be SOAP note assignments that correlate with your lab activity. Please refer to the Course Calendar for more information.

The Lab Activities and Competency Check-Offs are worth 0 points. When applicable, SOAP Note Assignments are worth 20 points.

Module 6 Lab Activities: Vital Sign Assessment

Measuring Pulse

1. Locate your own pulse at the following sites:

a. Carotid

*Inferior to the angle of the mandible and anterior to the SCM muscle

b. Radial

*At the wrist, medial to the styloid process

c. Dorsal pedal

*Over talus, between extensor hallucis longus and extensor digitorum longus tendons

(1st and 2nd digit)

2. On your partner, locate and assess their pulse rate at each of the following sites:

a. Radial

b. Dorsal pedal

Technique

- 2 or 3 fingers, not thumb to assess
- allow  patient to rest for approximately 5 minutes prior to assessing
- measure for a full minute, to reduce the possibility for error
- Documentation should include site tested and rate, any other irregularities if you notice any
- Normal pulse is 60 to 100 bpm for adults
  - Tachycardia ‐ >100 bpm
  - Bradycardia ‐ <60 bpm

Measuring Respirations

1. Assess rate of respirations on your partner.

a. This can be done visually or tactilely

b. Measure for one full minute to reduce the possibility for error

2. Normal ranges for respirations for adults is 12 to 18 per minute.

  - Above 20 or below 10 is considered abnormal.

Measuring Blood Pressure

1. Assess BP on your partner in the following positions:

a. Sitting

b. Supine

- Is there a difference?

Technique:

- Position patient with arm supported
- Apply deflated cuff to upper arm
  - ~1 ½ finger width for antecubital space
- Apply stethoscope diaphragm to brachial artery
- The first sound you hear is the systolic pressure
- The conclusion of the sound is the diastolic pressure

Measuring Pulse Oximetry

1. Assess blood oxygen saturation levels on your partner.

Technique:

- Apply the fingertip probe unit to your partner
- Measure and record the blood oxygen saturation level and the pulse rate

Is there a difference in the pulse rate you manually obtained earlier in comparison to the pulse oximetry reading?

Other Activities:

Determine effects of exercise on heart rate, blood pressure, respirations, and pulse oximetry by

choosing one of the following activities:

1. Treadmill walking at brisk speed for 5 minutes

2. Walking briskly outside for 5 minutes

3. Up and down a flight of steps for 5 minutes

4. Upper body ergometer with mild resistance for 5 minutes

Assess your partner’s vital signs before and directly after one of the above activities. Describe

the changes that you note after the activity is complete.

Attachments

- Lab_Activities 6.pdf