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Normal Vital Signs for an Adult

Memorize the brady/hypo–normal–tachy/hyper continuum for the five vital signs: heart rate, respiratory rate, blood pressure, oxygen saturation, and blood glucose.

Vocabulary & Definitions

TermDefinition
Normal Heart Rate (adult)60 – 100 bpm
Bradycardia threshold< 60 bpm (handout edge: 50 bpm)
Tachycardia threshold≥ 110 bpm; can run to 220 bpm in extreme states
Asystole0 bpm — no electrical activity, no pulse
Normal Respiratory Rate (adult)12 – 20 rpm
Bradypnea threshold< 8 rpm
Tachypnea threshold≥ 24 rpm; 40+ rpm is severe
Apnea0 rpm — no respirations
Normal Blood Pressure (adult)≈ 120 / 80 mmHg
Hypotensive thresholdSystolic BP < 90 mmHg
Hypertensive thresholdSystolic BP > 140 mmHg
Normal SpO₂95 – 99%
Inadequate OxygenationSpO₂ < 90%
Normal Blood Glucose Level80 – 120 mg/dL
Hypoglycemic threshold< 60 mg/dL
Hyperglycemic threshold> 140 mg/dL
Immediate-danger side of every vitalThe LOW side: Brady-, Hypo-, Inadequate. These kill faster.
Long-term-danger side of every vitalThe HIGH side: Tachy-, Hyper-. These do damage over time.

Vital Signs Continuum

VitalImmediate-danger (low)NormalLong-term-danger (high)
Heart Rate
bpm
Bradycardia
< 60 bpm
Normal Heart Rate
60 – 100 bpm
Tachycardia
≥ 110 bpm (up to 220 bpm)
Respiratory Rate
rpm
Bradypnea
< 8 rpm
Normal Respiratory Rate
12 – 20 rpm
Tachypnea
≥ 24 rpm (40+ rpm severe)
Blood Pressure (systolic)
mmHg
Hypotensive
Systolic BP < 90 mmHg
Normal Blood Pressure
≈ 120 / 80 mmHg
Hypertensive
Systolic BP > 140 mmHg
Oxygenation (SpO₂)
%
Inadequate Oxygenation
< 90%
Normal SpO₂
95 – 99%
-
Blood Glucose Level (BGL)
mg/dL
Hypoglycemic
< 60 mg/dL
Normal Blood Sugar
80 – 120 mg/dL
Hyperglycemic
> 140 mg/dL