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Why This Matters for Nursing: Patient charts, vital sign graphs, lab result tables, medication schedules—nurses interpret visual data constantly. Being able to quickly and accurately read data displays is essential for patient care.
| Type | Best For | Example |
|---|---|---|
| Table | Exact values, multiple categories | Lab results, medication schedules |
| Bar Graph | Comparing categories | Patient counts by diagnosis |
| Line Graph | Showing change over time | Temperature trends, vital signs |
| Pie Chart | Showing parts of a whole | Budget allocation, demographics |
| Scatter Plot | Showing relationships | Height vs. weight correlation |
Before reading ANY graph: 1. Read the TITLE — What is this about? 2. Check the AXES — What do X and Y represent? 3. Note the SCALE — What are the units? Are there breaks? 4. Look for PATTERNS — Trends, outliers, peaks
"TASK" = Title, Axes, Scale, Key patterns
| Time | Temp (°F) | Pulse | BP | Resp |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 0800 | 98.6 | 72 | 120/80 | 16 |
| 1200 | 99.2 | 78 | 118/76 | 18 |
| 1600 | 100.1 | 84 | 122/82 | 20 |
Questions you might be asked: - What was the pulse at 1200? → 78 - By how much did temperature increase? → 100.1 - 98.6 = 1.5°F - What trend do you notice? → All values increasing over time
If a bar reaches the 150 mark and each gridline = 50, the value is 150.
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