What are vital signs?
Vital signs are the most basic measure of body function. The four basic vital signs that are routinely monitored by medical professionals and health care providers include:
Body temperature
Pulse
Breathing rate (respiratory rate)
Blood pressure (Blood pressure is not considered a vital sign, but is often measured along with vital signs.)
Vital signs are helpful in detecting and monitoring health problems. Vital signs can be measured in the hospital setting, at home, in the emergency room, or elsewhere.
What is body temperature?
A person’s normal body temperature varies depending on gender, recent activity, food and fluid intake, time of day, and stage of the menstrual cycle in women. A healthy adult’s normal body temperature ranges from 97.8 degrees F (or the equivalent of 36.5 degrees Fahrenheit or Celsius) to 99 degrees F (37.2 degrees Celsius). A person’s body temperature can be measured using one of the following methods:
Orally. Temperature can be measured orally using a classic glass thermometer or a modern digital thermometer that uses an electronic probe to measure body temperature.
Straight through the stomach. The temperature measured through the rectum (using a glass or digital thermometer) is 0.5-0.7 degrees higher than when taken orally.
Armpit. Temperature can be measured under the arm using a glass or digital thermometer. The temperature obtained in this way is 0.3-0.4 degrees lower than the temperature obtained orally.
By ear. A special thermometer can quickly measure the temperature of the eardrum, which represents the core body temperature (temperature of internal organs).
Through the skin. A special thermometer can quickly measure the temperature of the skin on the forehead.
Body temperature may be abnormal due to fever (high temperature) or hypothermia (low temperature). According to the American Academy of Family Physicians, a fever occurs when the body temperature rises one degree or more above the normal temperature of 98.6 degrees Fahrenheit. Hypothermia describes a drop in body temperature below 95 degrees Fahrenheit.
About glass thermometers containing mercury
According to the Environmental Protection Agency, mercury is a toxic substance that poses a threat to human health and the environment. Because of the potential for breakage, mercury-containing glass thermometers must be removed from use and disposed of properly in accordance with local, state, and federal laws. For information on how to properly dispose of mercury thermometers, contact your local health department, waste disposal organization, or fire department.
What is the heart rate?
Heart rate is a measure of heart rate, or how many times the heart beats per minute. As the heart pumps blood through the arteries, the blood vessels expand and contract with the flow of blood. Pulse not only measures heart rate, but also indicates the following:
Heart rate
Pulse power
A healthy adult’s normal heart rate ranges from 60 to 100 beats per minute. Heart rate can fluctuate or increase during exercise, illness, injury, or emotion. In general, women age 12 and older have a faster heart rate than men. Athletes, for example, those who exercise a lot on the cardiovascular system, have a heart rate of about 40 beats per minute and do not have any problems.
Illustration of how to take a pulse
How to check your pulse
When the heart pumps blood through the arteries, it feels the beat by pressing hard on the blood vessels located close to the surface of the skin at certain points of the body. A pulse can be placed on the side of the neck, the inside of the elbow, or the wrist. For most people, it’s easiest to take your pulse on your wrist. If you use the lower neck, don’t press too hard, never press on the pulses on both sides of the lower neck to avoid impeding blood flow to the brain. When taking a pulse: