Vital sign

Vital signs are a group of the 4 to 6 most important medical signs that indicate the status of the body’s vital (life-sustaining) functions. These measurements are taken to help assess the general physical health of a person, give clues to possible diseases, and show progress toward recovery. The normal ranges for a person’s vital signs vary with age, weight, gender, and overall health.

Overview

There are four primary vital signs: body temperature, pulse rate, respiration rate, and blood pressure. The equipment needed for a physical examination is usually a thermometer, a sphygmomanometer, and a watch.

Body Temperature

Body temperature is a measure of the body's ability to generate and get rid of heat. The body is very good at keeping its temperature within a safe range, even when temperatures outside the body change a lot. A normal body temperature for adults is typically around 98.6°F (37°C), but can vary depending on factors such as the time of day or the person's physical activity levels.

Pulse Rate

The pulse rate is a measurement of the heart rate, or the number of times the heart beats per minute. While the heart rate can change from minute to minute, it should normally be between 60 and 100 beats per minute for an adult.

Respiration Rate

The respiration rate is the number of breaths a person takes per minute. The rate is usually measured when a person is at rest and simply involves counting the number of breaths for one minute by counting how many times the chest rises.

Blood Pressure

Blood pressure is the force exerted by circulating blood on the walls of blood vessels. It constitutes one of the critically important signs of life or vital signs, which include heart beat, breathing, and temperature. Blood pressure is generated by the heart pumping blood into the arteries modified by the response of the arteries to the flow of blood.

See Also

• Heart rate
• Body temperature
• Blood pressure
• Respiration rate

References

Vital sign Resources
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