Vitals Ranges
What It Means
Patient Safety
CNA Scope
Report or Not
100

Normal adult resting heart rate

This range is about 60 to 100 beats per minute.

  • What is a normal adult resting heart rate?
100

High body temperature

This is called a fever or pyrexia. → What is a high body temperature?

100

Two patient identifiers

Name and date of birth are these. → What are two patient identifiers?

100

Who a CNA reports to

This licensed person gets your report. → What is the nurse?

100

Pulse 118 in a resting adult

Yes. Resting pulse 118. → What should you report?

200

Normal adult oral temperature

This is about 97.8°F to 99.1°F by mouth. → What is a normal adult oral temperature?

200

Low oxygen saturation

This means the blood is not carrying enough oxygen. → What is low oxygen saturation / hypoxia?

200

Wash hands when

Do this before and after patient care. → What is hand hygiene?

200

CNA vs nurse

The CNA does this; the nurse diagnoses. → What is notice and report?

200

Resident says “I feel dizzy”

Yes. The person feels dizzy. → What should you report?

300

Normal adult blood pressure (about)

This is often near 120/80 mm Hg. → What is a normal adult blood pressure?

300

Fast breathing

This is tachypnea. → What is fast breathing?

300

Fall risk after dizziness

Stay with the person and call the nurse after this complaint. → What is dizziness / a fall risk?

300

Vital signs a CNA can take

Temperature, pulse, respirations, and blood pressure. → What vital signs can a CNA take?

300

BP 88/54 and pale

Yes. BP 88/54 and pale. → What should you report now?

400

Normal adult respiratory rate

This is about 12 to 20 breaths per minute. → What is a normal adult respiratory rate?

400

Low blood pressure

This is about 12 to 20 breaths per minute. → What is a normal adult respiratory rate?

400

Do not leave a call light

This must stay in the patient’s reach. → What is the call light?

400

What a CNA does not do

A CNA does not do this with a reading. → What is diagnose / change the care plan alone?

400

Temp 99.0 and hungry

Not urgent by itself. Temp 99.0 and hungry. → What can you keep watching / not an emergency?

500

SpO2 usually wanted at or above

This number is usually 95% or higher on room air. → What is a normal SpO2?

500

Pain is this kind of sign

Pain is this, because only the patient can rate it. → What is a subjective sign / symptom?


500

Gloves come off before

Do this before you leave the room so you do not spread germs. → What is remove gloves / wash hands?

500

Charting matters because

Care plans depend on this CNA habit. → What is accurate charting / documentation?

500

Blood sugar 52 and sweaty

Yes, immediately. Glucose 52 and sweaty. → What should you report right away?