Techniques for Obtaining Vital Signs of Infants and Children
Due to the “fear factor” of blood pressure measurement, save the blood pressure measurement for last. Children and infants often begin to cry during blood pressure assessment, and this may affect the respiration and pulse rate assessment.
Perform as many tasks as possible while the child is sitting on the parent's lap or in a chair next to the parent.
Let the child see and touch the equipment before you begin to use it.
Make measuring vital signs a game. For instance, if you are using a tympanic thermometer that makes a chirping sound, tell the child you are looking for “birdies” in the ear. While auscultating the pulse, tell the child you are listening for another type of animal.
If the child has a doll or stuffed animal, pretend to take the doll's vital signs first.