1 Insert thermometer
2Assess result
1 Find pulse
2Assess result
1 Count breaths
2Assess result
68 FAMILY ILLNESS
Assessing symptoms( adults)
Symptoms take many forms. Some involve a new sensation; others involve a change in a normal body function. Certain symptoms can be assessed very accurately because they can be measured, for example by taking a temperature or a pulse. Others need careful and regular attention to assess whether something has changed, such as breast or testes examinations.
MEASURING BODY TEMPERATURE
1 Insert thermometer
• Place a digital thermometer in the mouth, with the tip under the tongue, and leave it until you hear it“ beep”, indicating that it has measured the temperature.
2Assess result
• A result above 100.4 ° F( 38 ° C) indicates a fever.
TAKING A PULSE
1 Find pulse
• Place the pads of two fingers on the inside of a person’ s wrist, just below the base of the thumb.
• Press firmly to feel the throbbing beat of the pulse.
• Count the number of beats per minute.
2Assess result
• A rate of around 72 beats per minute is normal for an adult.
• Note the quality of the pulse: if it is regular or irregular, strong or weak.
Place the pads of the fingers below the victim’ s thumb
CHECKING BREATHING RATE
1 Count breaths
• Watch for chest movement or place your hand on the adult’ s chest or back so you can feel the breaths.
• Count the number of breaths he or she takes in one minute.
2Assess result
• The normal resting breathing rate is 12 – 15 breaths per minute.
• Note the quality of the person’ s breathing: if it is fast or slow, easy or labored.