Question: What vital signs should you monitor?

Answer

Question: What vital signs should you monitor?

Answer: The vital signs that you should monitor are:

• Pulse
• Blood pressure
• Oxygen saturations
• Respiratory rate
• Conscious level (AVPU)
• Urine output
• Temperature
• Lochia

If blood pressure does not respond to fluid resuscitation, the patient may need vasopressors, i.e. adrenaline and noradrenaline. Noradrenaline may be the vasopressor of choice because it mainly vasoconstricts the dilated septic vasculature.

If the patient is unresponsive to the vasopressor consider hydrocortisone 200 mg daily.

The patient needs invasive monitoring, i.e. arterial line and central lines, and to be nursed in an appropriate environment, i.e. ITU if available.