Vital signs are measurements of the bodys most basic functions and are useful in detecting or monitoring medical problems. The four main vital signs routinely monitored by medical professionals and health care providers include the following:

• Body temperature
• Pulse rate
• Respiration rate (rate of breathing)
• Blood pressure (Blood pressure is not considered a vital sign, but is often measured along with the vital signs.)

Body temperature is the measurement of the bodys ability to generate and get rid of heat. The pulse rate is a measurement of the heart rate, or the number of times the heart beats per minute. Respiration rate is the number of breaths taken per minute. Blood pressure is the force of blood pushing against the walls of the arteries as the heart pumps blood.

Vital signs can be measured in a medical setting, at home, at the site of a medical emergency, or elsewhere. Normal ranges for vital signs vary by age, BMI, sex, and overall health. Pediatric vital signs are different from adult vital signs. For example, a baby’s pulse may range from 110 to 160 beats per minute (bpm) and an adult’s heart rate ranges from 60 to 100 bpm. Accurately measuring vital signs is a clinical skill that needs time and practice to refine.