Physiological Measurements Essay

Words: 1523
Pages: 7

Danielle Fuller
Unit 335 CA

Physiological measurements

OUTCOME 1: Describe current legislation, national guidelines, organisational policies and protocols affecting work practice.

When taking physiological measurements you have to take into account of the standard precautions. Bullet pointed below are some of the legalisations that relate to taking physiological measurements.

Confidentiality * It is important to think about confidentiality when taking a patients physiological measurements because by law patients notes and details have to be kept private.
Health & Safety Act 1974 * It is important to have knowledge of the health & safety at work act 1974, because this outlines your responsibilities as an employee, some
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More serious conditions can occur for example, an internal illness, infections or lung conditions.

OUTCOME 2: explain the principles of pulse rates to include: * Normal pulse rate limits * Factors affecting pulse rates – raising or lowering: * Pulse sites on the body * The requirement for pulse oximetry measurements * Analysis and implication of pulse oximetry findings

A normal pulse rate averages at 72 beats per minute, for a resting adult a normal pulse rate 60-90 beats per minute. If your pulse rate exceeds 100 beats per minute this is known as a high pulse rate, also known as Tachycardia. If your heart beats less than 60 times a minute this is known as a slow heart rate also known as Bradycardia. The pulse can be measured at any place on the human body where it allows an artery to be compressed against a bone. A few examples of these areas are the neck, inside of the elbow, wrist, and groin, behind the knee and near the ankle joint. A pulse oximetry is a method for monitoring a person’s oxygen saturation. The normal ranges for patience are from 95-99% (SO2). This physiological measurement is most important because it can detect signs hypoxia which is oxygen starvation to the body. There are a number of different implications that can give you a false reading from the oximeter, this can include: extremely bright lights, dark nail polish, cold skin and restricted blood supply to finger or toes.

OUTCOME 2: