Vital signs and HIPAA
Wed, Oct 7, 2026 · Week 7 · Principles of Biomedical Technology (Principles of Biomedical Science)
Today's goal: Define the vital signs, normal ranges, and HIPAA basics before the PLTW clinical task.
What a finished product looks like
This is a model of the work you should turn in today. Use it to check your own: match the structure and the level of detail, do not copy it. Your data and wording should be your own.
Measurement plan: I will collect the four vital signs in this order so each tool is ready before I touch my partner.
- Body temperature: instrument is a digital thermometer, unit is degrees Fahrenheit (F) or Celsius (C), normal range is about 98.6 F (37 C), one error source is taking it right after the patient drinks something cold.
- Pulse rate: instrument is two fingers on the radial artery plus a timer, unit is beats per minute (bpm), normal range is 60 to 100 bpm, one error source is using the thumb (it has its own pulse).
- Respiration rate: instrument is observation plus a timer, unit is breaths per minute, normal range is 12 to 20 breaths/min, one error source is the patient noticing and changing their breathing.
- Blood pressure: instrument is a sphygmomanometer cuff and stethoscope, unit is millimeters of mercury (mmHg), normal range is below 120/80 mmHg, one error source is a cuff that is the wrong size for the arm.
HIPAA note: any readings I record are Protected Health Information, so I will use a patient code (Patient A) instead of a real name.
| Vital sign | Instrument | Unit | Normal range | Error source |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Body temperature | Digital thermometer | F or C | ~98.6 F (37 C) | Recent cold drink |
| Pulse rate | Fingers + timer | bpm | 60 to 100 | Using the thumb |
| Respiration rate | Observation + timer | breaths/min | 12 to 20 | Patient self-awareness |
| Blood pressure | Cuff + stethoscope | mmHg | below 120/80 | Wrong cuff size |
Also due today: Hand in the measurement plan before leaving.
WebXam problem for today's skill
One exam-style question that uses exactly what you practiced today. Try it before you reveal the answer, then read why each choice is right or wrong.
Tap an answer to see the full explanation. Nothing is recorded or graded.