You measure the vital signs of a 3-year-old patient. Which finding would you report to the Health Care Provider (HCP)?

Normal vital sign ranges vary significantly by age. For a 3-year-old child, the expected pulse rate is approximately 80 to 120 beats per minute. A pulse of 140 beats per minute exceeds this upper limit and would be classified as tachycardia in this age group, warranting notification of the health care provider. A temperature of 98.2°F (36.8°C) is well within the normal range of 97°F to 100.4°F and requires no intervention. A respiratory rate of 26 per minute is within the normal range for a 3-year-old, which is approximately 22 to 34 breaths per minute; this finding is not concerning. A blood pressure of 98/62 mmHg is appropriate for a toddler — the expected systolic range for a 3-year-old is roughly 86 to 106 mmHg, so this reading is normal. Students often confuse pediatric vital sign norms with adult norms, which can lead to either under-reporting or over-reporting abnormalities. Remembering that heart rate is higher and blood pressure is lower in children compared to adults is essential for safe pediatric nursing practice.