Demonstrate taking a respiratory therapy patient’s vital signs.

Demonstration should emphasize the need to assess and record the patient’s vital signs (e.g., pulse, heart rate, blood pressure, respiration rate) to detect significant variations from the norm that would have an effect on patient care. 

Process/Skill Questions:

• What is a normal heart rate for a child?
• What is considered a normal respiration rate for an adult?
• What should the respiratory therapist do if the patient has an abnormal vital sign?