7.5 Normal Ranges for Vital Signs

Temperature

The average body temperature is 98.6º F (37º C), but normal body temperature can range between 97º F (36.1º C) to 99º F (37.2º C), depending on the activity level or the time of day. Older adults have lower body temperatures; a reading of 96º F (36º C) is not unusual. See Table 7.5a for average temperature ranges according to the measurement method. In general, notify the nurse for temperatures greater than 38º degrees C (100.4º degrees F) because this indicates a fever.

Table 7.5a Normal Range of Temperatures According to Method[1],[2]

Method Average Range C Average Range F
Oral 35.8 – 37.3ºC 96 – 99ºF
Axillary 34.8 – 36.3ºC 94.6 – 97.3ºF
Tympanic 36.1 – 37.9ºC 96.9 – 100.2ºF
Rectal 36.8 – 38.2ºC 98.2 – 100.7ºF
Temporal 35.2 – 36.7ºC 95.3 – 98ºF

Pulse

Heart rate varies greatly from newborns to adults. In general, immediately report an adult’s pulse rate that is less than 60 or higher than 100 to the nurse. See Table 7.5b for normal heart rate ranges by age.

Table 7.5b Normal Heart Rate Ranges by Age[3]

Age Group Heart Rate
Preterm 120 – 180
Newborn (0 to 1 month) 100 – 160
Infant (1 to 12 months) 80 – 140
Toddler (1 to 3 years) 80 – 130
Preschool (3 to 5 years) 80 – 110
School Age (6 to 12 years) 70 – 100
Adolescents (13 to 18 years) and Adults 60 – 100

Respiration

Respiratory rate varies greatly from infants to adults. In general, report an adult’s respiratory rate immediately to the nurse if it is less than 12 or greater than 20. See normal respiratory rate ranges by age in Table 7.5c.

Table 7.5c Respiratory Rate Ranges by Age[4]

Age Normal Range
Newborn to one month 30 – 60
One month to one year 26 – 60
1-10 years of age 14 – 50
11-18 years of age 12 – 22
Adult (ages 18 and older) 12 – 20

Blood Pressure

Blood pressure (BP) is categorized into three ranges: low blood pressure (hypotension), normal blood pressure, and high blood pressure (hypertension (HTN) ). In general, 120/80 mmHg is considered a normal adult blood pressure reading. See blood pressure ranges for adults for categories of hypotension, normal, and hypertension in Table 7.5d. Systolic and/or diastolic blood pressure readings outside the normal range should be immediately reported to the nurse.

Table 7.5d Blood Pressure Ranges for Adults[5]

Category Systolic Reading Diastolic Reading
Hypotension (low BP) Less than 90 mmHg Less than 60 mmHg
Normal 91-129 mmHg 61-89 mmHg
Hypertension (high BP) 130 mmHg or higher 90 mmHg or higher
  1. This work is a derivative of Nursing Skills by Chippewa Valley Technical College and is licensed under CC BY 4.0 ↵
  2. RB Health Partners, Inc. (n.d.). ADL CNA flow sheet. [Form]. http://anha.org/members/documents/ADLCNAFlowSheet2.pdf ↵
  3. This work is a derivative of Nursing Skills by Chippewa Valley Technical College and is licensed under CC BY 4.0 ↵
  4. This work is a derivative of Nursing Skills by Chippewa Valley Technical College and is licensed under CC BY 4.0 ↵
  5. This work is a derivative of Nursing Skills by Chippewa Valley Technical College and is licensed under CC BY 4.0 ↵
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