NOTE:
Solid lines are not drawn through the symbol since that could make the pulse
temperature symbol look like a temperature symbol.
(2) Blood pressure. Blood pressure readings are graphed as crossed lines
(X). The point that the lines cross indicates the blood pressure reading. There are two
X's in each hour column for each blood pressure reading. The higher "X" is the systolic;
the lower is the diastolic. They are read using the "Pulse" column. Each solid
horizontal line denotes a change of 10 mm Hg and each dot between the solid lines
denotes a change of 2 mm Hg. For example, the blood pressure reading for 1000, 15
December, on figure 6-2 is 120/84. The systolic and diastolic readings are connected
by a straight line. The systolic reading is not connected to other systolic readings and
the diastolic reading is not connected to other diastolic readings. The blood pressure
readings may also be written in the "Blood Pressure" section below the graph.
(3) Temperature. The temperature symbol is a large dot or filled circle (●).
It is read using the "Temperature" column to the right of the "Pulse" column. Each solid
horizontal line denotes a change of 1o F. Each dot represents an additional 0.2o F. For
each example, the temperature (oral) reading shown for 1000, 15 December, on figure
6-2 is 100.2o F. Like the pulse symbol, temperature symbols are connected one to
another by solid lines.
A solid horizontal line is drawn in at the normal (98.6 o F) level to aid in your
NOTE:
(4) Breathing. Breathing rates are not graphed. Instead, the breathing rate
is written in at the bottom of the graph column on the "Respiration Record" line.
d. Other Entries. The blocks below the "Blood Pressure" section are used as
specified by the local SOP. Normally, the top line is used to document weight changes.
The rest of the section is usually used to document patient fluid intake and output.
MD531
6-11