Vital signs refer to physical signs of the body’s basic functions that indicate an individual is alive. The main vital signs routinely measured are temperature, breathing, pulse and blood pressure, which are critical in detecting and diagnosing many medical conditions.
Most patients will have their vital signs measured by a registered nurse or healthcare assistant.
Although variations may occur with age, sex, weight, exercise tolerance and condition, “normal” ranges for these vital signs include the following.
- Temperature: 97.8 - 99.1 degrees Fahrenheit / average 98.6 degrees Fahrenheit
- Breathing: 12 to 18 respirations (breaths) per minute
- Pulse: 60 to 80 beats per minute (at rest)
- Blood Pressure:
- Systolic: less than 120 mm of mercury (mm Hg)
- Diastolic: less than 80 mm Hg
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