Physiological measurements

Abstract An important part of nursing decision-making, in both hospital and community settings, is interpreting the results of physiological measurements. These may be used to assist in making a diagnosis, monitoring the effects of treatments, or assessing changes to a person’s health condition. Physiological values are always interpreted within the context of what is known about the person and their health state and can guide nursing practice and interventions. In different clinical specialties, there will be specific physiological measurements which are routinely used, and it is important that nurses are familiar with those which apply to their own area of work. This chapter outlines the most widely used general physiological measurements, together with normal reference range values.