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 |
- This work is a derivative of Nursing Skills by Chippewa Valley Technical College and is licensed under CC BY 4.0 ↵
- RB Health Partners, Inc. (n.d.). ADL CNA flow sheet. [Form]. http://anha.org/members/documents/ADLCNAFlowSheet2.pdf ↵
- This work is a derivative of Nursing Skills by Chippewa Valley Technical College and is licensed under CC BY 4.0 ↵
- This work is a derivative of Nursing Skills by Chippewa Valley Technical College and is licensed under CC BY 4.0 ↵
- This work is a derivative of Nursing Skills by Chippewa Valley Technical College and is licensed under CC BY 4.0 ↵
Low blood pressure.
Elevated blood pressure.