The Concept of a Reference Person

The same way we have a standard anatomical position, we also have a reference person (or standard person) that has perfectly “normal” characteristics.

When you hear things such as a normal heart rate (70bpm) or normal blood pressure range (120 over 80), they are considered “normal” for the theoretical reference person which is…

• A young man (20-30 years old)
• weighing 70kg (154lbs)
• with a height of 170cm (5’7″)
• who lives in a climate with an average temperature from 10°C to 20°C (50°F to 68°F)

Over the counter drug dosage recommendations, such as Tylenol, are based on this reference person.

Do you think the normal heart rate for a new born baby is 70bpm?  It’s more like 120bpm.   What about the blood pressure for a pregnant woman?  The values will be different for every trimester.  In recent years, reference woman and reference child models have been created but are not common knowledge.

Basic Physiology Primers

• The Concept of a Reference Person
• Review of Cell Membrane Structure
• The Proteins Embedded in Cell Membranes
• Fluid Compartments within the Human Body
• Movement of substances across cell membranes
• The Principle of Homeostasis
• Regulation of Body Temperature
• Inflammation and the Pathophysiology of Fever
• The Menstrual Cycle