Vital signs are measurements of essential body functions. Part of a physical exam provides a quick and objective way to assess a patient’s health. Taking our vital signs is a simple and speedy procedure we often take for granted without realizing its importance. But for medical assistants and practical nurses, the process has greater significance. Straightforward yet complex, it’s the foundation of quality care.

What Are the Different Vital Signs Medical Professionals Take? 

There are four primary and several secondary vital signs. Primary vital signs are the most essential. They include:

Body Temperature

Body temperature is a strong indicator of overall health. Normal readings between 97.8 to 99 °F suggest that the body’s internal environment functions appropriately. Fever indicates an immune or inflammatory response.

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Pulse is the number of heartbeats per minute. A direct reflection of heart function, an average adult rate of 60-100 beats per minute (bpm) indicates a working circulatory system. High or low readings point to a range of conditions, from anxiety to cardiovascular issues. Notes should also include an assessment of pulse characteristics, including strength, rhythm, and regularity.

Respiratory Rate

The respiratory rate is the number of breaths taken per minute. Average values range from 12-20. Patients may, however, unintentionally alter their breathing patterns if they’re aware their respirations are being monitored.

Blood Pressure

Blood pressure is the force of blood exerted against artery walls. It’s a fundamental reflection of systemic health affecting most major organ systems. Hypertension is a risk factor for heart and kidney disease. Hypotension can lead to fainting, making it a safety concern.

Secondary vital signs are additional assessments that provide a more holistic view of a patient’s condition. Examples are:

Height and Weight

Height and height are used to calculate medication dosages and assess long-term health risks associated with obesity or malnutrition. Sudden changes can also indicate disease.

Pulse Oximetry

Pulse oximetry measures oxygen content in the bloodstream. While not yet considered a primary vital sign, it’s increasingly considered a must-have measurement for cardiac or pulmonary patients.

Level of Consciousness

Level of Consciousness (LOC) is an essential part of neurological exams. Evaluated using the Glasgow Coma Scale, it reflects a patient’s cognitive status and brain function.

Pain Level

Pain level is a subjective measure of comfort. It can, however, affect primary vital signs, so knowing if a patient is in pain helps doctors interpret irregular readings.

Blood Glucose

Monitoring blood glucose levels is essential for patients with diabetes. However, with the higher levels of obesity prevalent in modern society, routine screening for hyperglycemia among the general population is fast becoming the standard. Most practices check it using a glucometer and a fingerstick blood sample.

Capillary Refill Time (CRT)

Capillary refill time is how quickly blood returns to the capillaries after the skin, nail beds, or mucus membranes are compressed. A normal CRT of 3 seconds or less shows circulation is brisk.

Why Are Vital Signs Important? 

Vital signs are among a medical professional’s most valuable assessment tools. They play a leading role in patient care for several significant reasons:

Health Assessment

Changes in vital signs can indicate underlying health issues long before symptoms appear. Early detection helps identify risk factors for chronic conditions, such as hypertension, heart disease, and diabetes.

Diagnosis

Many health conditions cause similar symptoms. Doctors must hunt for clues to narrow down the potential cause. Changes in vital signs and other findings can point physicians in the right direction, resulting in a faster diagnosis and quicker care.

Triage

Medical professionals prioritize patients based on the urgency of their conditions. But outward appearances can be deceiving. In a busy emergency room, patients with the least stable vital signs are usually the sickest and are treated first.

Making Treatment Decisions

Vital signs are essential for monitoring the progression of illness and the patient’s response to treatment. Readings show whether a patient is better, worse, or stable, influencing treatment decisions.

Safety Considerations

Vital signs assess health and fitness, ensuring individuals can safely tolerate activity or medical procedures. School sports physicals, for example, may help detect dangerous heart rate abnormalities in children.

Calculating Medication Dosages

Some medications affect vital signs, causing unwanted side effects. Others, such as blood pressure medications, are routinely adjusted based on their impact.

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Vital signs are often analyzed to gain insights into health issues. Only by collecting data, for example, were researchers able to correlate high blood pressure to heart disease risk.

What Do Medical Assistants Need to Know About Vital Signs? 

How vital signs are approached, obtained, monitored, utilized, and reported can vary significantly based on a medical professional’s role. Medical assistants should know:

Which Vital Signs to Take

Medical assistants focus on primary vital signs, plus height, weight, pain level, and oxygen saturation. Level of consciousness and capillary refill time rarely apply in outpatient settings.

Normal Ranges and Variations

Medical assistants should know the normal ranges for vital signs in their age groups. There are wide variations between newborns and seniors.

Factors Affecting Vital Signs

Age, gender, physical fitness, environmental temperature, and stress level may affect vital signs, providing perspective on abnormal results.

Measurement Techniques

There’s more than one way to take vital signs. Medical assistants should be familiar with the most common techniques and their indications, such as using a temporal thermometer instead of a tympanic thermometer for a child with a history of ear infections; scar tissue can affect the reading.

And while most medical offices have digital vital sign equipment, technology can fail. Some tools, such as digital sphygmomanometers, are less precise than manual measurement methods.

Equipment Limitations 

All vital sign equipment has parameters. Cuff fit, for example, is critical for accurate blood pressure readings. And digital thermometers may have upper and lower limits that result in errors if exceeded. Medical assistants must understand the proper use and limitations of their tools.

Safety Considerations 

Vital sign equipment can carry germs. It’s essential to sanitize thermometers, blood pressure cuffs, and other devices as directed.

There are also contraindications and precautions to consider. Blood pressure, for example, should never be taken on a limb with a vascular access port. Cutting off circulation, even momentarily, can impair fragile devices.

Interpretation and Recordkeeping Protocols

Interpreting vital signs is beyond a medical assistant’s scope of practice, but they should be able to recognize significant abnormalities requiring follow-up. Results should be noted in the patient’s chart using universal language and approved abbreviations with notes explaining any concerns, such as an elevated pulse in an anxious patient.

What Do LPNs Need to Know About Vital Signs? 

Taking vital signs is an essential but routine task for medical assistants. Practical nurses, however, perform clinical assessments, so it has greater significance. An LPN should know:

The Indications for Vital Signs

Monitoring vital signs in acute care settings can help detect life-threatening conditions like infection and respiratory failure. Nurses must know which vital signs to take when symptoms emerge and why. Examples include checking oxygen saturation for shortness of breath and temperature for body aches.

Advanced Measurement Methods

Medical assistants work with stable patients, so there are fewer variations in the vital sign process. However, an LPN may care for a dozen or more patients simultaneously, each with a particular need or a potential contraindication. LPNs should be more familiar with the many options available for taking vital signs and the best specialized techniques for some patients.

Nurses will also rely more on CRT, pain, and level of consciousness assessments to gauge their patient’s conditions. Prolonged CRT in a critical care environment can be an early sign of circulatory collapse requiring immediate intervention, while any decrease in consciousness requires immediate evaluation. Pain, while not always an indication of a worsening issue, impacts the patient’s care plan. A post-surgical therapy session, for example, may need to be postponed for 10/10 pain.

How to Make Treatment Decisions

LPNs are trained to make limited clinical decisions related to vital signs. An LPN can’t prescribe treatment, but they can, for example, activate standing emergency orders for oxygen based on shortness of breath and low oxygen saturation. They may also withhold medications that could harm patients pending a doctor’s review, such as delaying insulin administration for a patient with hypoglycemia.

Nurses must, however, be aware of their scope of practice and legal responsibilities when making clinical calls. Deviating from physicians’ orders should always be a stop-gap measure.

Documentation Requirements

Vital sign documentation goes beyond numbers for nurses. Their notes should indicate whether critical signs were a routine or an acute intervention and why. Evidence of follow-up with a physician or supervising RN is paramount. Notes should identify abnormal vital signs and which nursing actions were taken in response.

Professional Communication and Collaboration

LPNs work closely with physicians, RNs, and other healthcare professionals. Effective communication regarding vital signs and patient status is essential for continuity of care. Treatments may change rapidly in acute care settings, so abnormal results should be noted and passed on verbally to other physicians. For example, a patient with a sudden fever may require immediate infection control precautions affecting all caregivers.

Continuing Education Considerations

Vital sign ranges and methodologies change over time. Best practices are updated based on research findings. Nursing is an evidence-based profession, so LPNs should stay abreast of developments that affect how they take and interpret vital signs. Professional literature is often the best source of information.

Final Thoughts

Modern medicine is a miracle. Still, with all the technological advancements available, the simplest assessment methods are often the best. Vital signs tell a definitive tale that brings context to an often complex clinical picture. As a medical assistant or LPN, you’ll help write happy endings.

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*While Ä¢¹½´«Ã½ Institute provides test preparation and review assistance to college students, it cannot guarantee any college student will be able to take or pass any type of licensure exam. College students must be mindful throughout their training program that licensure is a prerequisite for employment as a nurse and diligently prepare themselves to meet this important requirement.

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Vital signs and side effects are different yet inseparable topics. Doctors rely on both to guide medical decision-making. LPNs play a critical role in healthcare by monitoring vital signs and side effects, both are pieces of clinical puzzles.

What Are the Main Vital Signs? 

Vital signs are baseline clinical measurements that reflect a patient’s overall physical health.

The primary vital signs include:

Temperature

Measured in Fahrenheit (°F) or Celsius (°C), temperature readings indicate how much heat the body is producing. A reflection of metabolism, abnormally high or low readings suggest physical changes that could indicate illness. The average adult temperature is 98.6 °F or 37 °C.

Heart Rate

Heart rate, or pulse, is the number of times the heart beats per minute. Healthy readings average 60-100 BPM. LPNs are also trained to notice pulse characteristics, including strength and regularity.

Blood Pressure

Blood pressure is the force blood exerts against artery walls. Measured as systolic over diastolic pressure, it’s a reflection of cardiac, respiratory, and renal health. Readings in the 120/80 range are the norm.

Respiratory Rate

The respiratory rate is the number of breaths someone takes per minute, healthy adults average 12-16 easy respirations.

Why Do Medical Assistants and LPNs Take Vital Signs? 

Taking vital signs is critical for several key reasons:

Patient Assessment

Abnormal vital signs suggest changes in a patient’s health status. Readings point to specific conditions, helping doctors diagnose illness. An elevated temperature, for example, points to an infection.

Baseline Information

Normal vital sign readings vary based on factors from age to physical conditioning. Regular measurements can reveal early signs of medical conditions, such as hypertension and heart disease, allowing for earlier intervention.

Medication Management

Monitoring vital signs helps doctors assess the effects of treatments. If hypertension doesn’t respond to a certain drug, for example, the patient may need a higher dose or a different medication.

Safety Precautions 

Medical procedures can cause stress on the body. Anesthesia, for example, suppresses the respiratory rate. Assessing vital signs before surgery reassures doctors that patients are stable enough to tolerate the procedure.

Monitoring vital signs is also crucial for detecting drug side effects. Routine checks ensure that patients are getting the best medications in appropriate dosages.

What Are Side Effects? 

Side effects are unintended consequences of medical treatments. Some, such as hair loss after chemotherapy, are expected and manageable. Others, like allergic reactions, may be serious or life-threatening because they affect vital signs.

Common side effects of medications and other treatments include:

Nausea and Vomiting

Many medications, including analgesics, general anesthetics, and antibiotics, can cause nausea and vomiting ranging from mild and transient to severe and sustained. Persistent vomiting can lead to fluid loss resulting in low blood pressure and a rapid heartbeat.

Dizziness

Some drugs, including blood pressure medications and opioid pain relievers, can cause dizziness, lightheartedness, or fainting. Both can cause blood pressure to drop, creating a risk of falls.

Fatigue

Certain medications, such as antihistamines, affect the nervous system, causing temporary drowsiness and fatigue. Confusion is a common side effect of over-the-counter allergy medications in patients over 60 years of age.

Changes in Mood

Unpredictable mood changes are possible with medications such as antidepressants. Others, including anesthetics, can cause delirium, especially in the elderly.

Pain or Redness

Swelling, discomfort, redness, and bruising are common at surgical incision sites, resolving slowly as they heal. A fever plus worsening symptoms might indicate an infection.

Fever

Some people develop a low-grade fever for 24-48 hours after receiving certain vaccines. The good news among researchers, however, is that this indicates a robust immune response.

Allergic Reactions 

Mild allergic reactions to medications, including vomiting, rashes, and hives, are not uncommon. These side effects, however, can evolve into serious or life-threatening adverse effects, such as anaphylactic shock, if not addressed. Anaphylaxis begins with garden-variety allergy symptoms but quickly progresses to airway constriction, low blood pressure, rapid pulse, and organ failure. It’s a medical emergency.

What Do Side Effects Tell Healthcare Professionals? 

The presence or absence of side effects answers many clinical questions, such as:

Is the Patient Tolerating Treatment? 

Side effects reflect how a patient is responding to a specific treatment. The lack of side effects is promising. Symptoms like vomiting, however, suggest a change in therapy may be necessary. The good news is that there are alternatives within most categories of drugs that may be better tolerated. And as is the case with many chemotherapy agents, side effects can be treated to make them more manageable.

Do Safety Concerns Outweigh the Therapeutic Benefits of Treatment? 

All medical treatments have risks and benefits, but some side effects create significant safety concerns. A senior who feels dizzy after taking blood pressure medication, for example, is at risk for falls.

By monitoring for side effects, doctors can better see a patient’s entire clinical picture, allowing them to determine when the risks of a particular therapy exceed the potential benefits.

Will the Patient Adhere to Treatment Recommendations? 

Side effects can influence a patient’s willingness to adhere to their treatment plan. If a patient experiences intolerable side effects, they may be less likely to continue taking beneficial medications. People with diabetes, for example, may be less compliant with insulin injections because they’re uncomfortable and inconvenient. For these patients, an oral diabetes treatment may improve adherence and outcomes.

What Are the Differences Between Vital Signs and Side Effects? 

Vital signs and side effects differ in these key areas:

Purpose

Vital signs are measurements. Assessed at regular intervals, they’re an essential part of patient assessment.

Side effects are unintended and serve no therapeutic purpose, but they can provide clues that help doctors refine treatment regimens.

Subjectivity

Vital signs are objective measurements, readings aren’t subject to interpretation. Any two patients with blood pressure over 140/90 are considered to have hypertension.

Side effects are observed or reported, but they’re subjective experiences because they impact patients’ lives differently. Persistent vomiting, for example, will affect an underweight cancer patient more than a healthy adult.

Timing

Vital signs are measured and recorded routinely.

Side effects, including changes in vital signs, may occur without warning. Even after years of therapy, factors such as illness or weight loss can affect how the body reacts to a drug.

As an LPN, you’ll inquire about side effects related to treatments each time you update a patient’s medical history.

Final Thoughts

Vital signs and side effects are distinct concepts. But together, they create a clinical picture that helps doctors make the best treatment decisions.

Practical Nursing Program

Are you looking for in Central Florida that prepares you to become a licensed practical nurse (LPN)? Ä¢¹½´«Ã½ Institute in Orlando offers a Practical Nursing diploma program that trains LPN students for positions delivering basic bedside care to patients. The Practical Nursing diploma program provides the didactic and skills training needed to take the NCLEX-PN examination.* 

*While Ä¢¹½´«Ã½ Institute provides test preparation and review assistance to college students, it cannot guarantee any college student will be able to take or pass any type of licensure exam. College students must be mindful throughout their entire training program that licensure is a prerequisite for employment as a nurse and to diligently prepare themselves to meet this important requirement.

today to learn more about becoming an LPN in Orlando at Ä¢¹½´«Ã½ Institute.

The first time a patient visits a doctor, the medical assistant takes their vitals. This is to establish a baseline. Vitals are also taken after specific procedures, to check for disorders like heart disease and when the individual is taking medication. Also every time the patient visits the doctor, vital signs are taken to reveal any trends in the health of the patient.

Vital Sign #1: Blood Pressure

The force the blood places against the arteries is called blood pressure. Blood pressure is taken by placing a cuff around the arm. A pump inflates the cuff to cut off circulation. The cuff is then gradually deflated by a valve to determine blood pressure.

There are two numbers displayed when blood pressure is measured. The pressure in the arteries when blood is pumped throughout the body is the higher number. Artery pressure when the body is resting is the lower number. If the numbers are too high, it is much harder for the arteries to resist the blood flow. A normal blood pressure depends on the person, age and lifestyle but will be approximately 120/80.

When blood pressure is abnormal, it is a sign there is an underlying issue such as heart disease. This can result in a medical emergency including a stroke. Consistently monitoring blood pressure is important because the physician can determine if medical treatment is necessary or if the person needs to make changes in their lifestyle.

Vital Sign #2: Body Temperature

A patient’s temperature can be taken under the tongue or through the armpit, anus or ear by using a thermometer. The temperature is displayed in either Fahrenheit or Celsius.

When the body temperature is irregular, it is often a sign of infection. Even if the individual is feeling good, body temperature can detect an infection before it spreads. When the body temperature fluctuates, it is an indication there may be a medical issue. When normal, the ideal body temperature is 98.6 degrees Fahrenheit. If the temperature is 97 to 99 degrees Fahrenheit, it is considered normal. Body temperature is affected by the surrounding temperature and the weight, gender and age of the person.

Body temperature is adjusted by a section of the brain called the hypothalamus. If there is a virus within the body, a signal is sent to this part of the brain by the immune system to increase the temperature of the body so the infection can be weakened. When the body is fighting a virus, the early signs include clamminess and sweating. Monitoring the body temperature enables preventative measures to be taken to detect and prevent any potentially serious issues from spreading.

Vital Sign #3: Heart Rate

The rate at which the heart beats is called a pulse. The most common way for a medical assistant to check heart rate is by placing the middle and pointer fingers on the inside of the wrist below the thumb. Other places on the body to measure heart rate include the neck and on the base of the foot. The number of beats is counted for 15 seconds. This number is multiplied by four to determine the heart rate.

The heart rate is a good indication of the emotional wellbeing, fitness level and heart health of every patient. The heart rate shows the physician the number of times the heart beats every minute. When the body is at rest, a healthy heart rate is 60 to 100 beats every minute. The heart rate can be tracked through the use of monitoring devices to determine the patient’s average heart rate. There is a wide range of causes for fluctuations of the heart rate including:

• Chronic stress
• Age
• Medications
• Dehydration
• Smoking
• Excess caffeine
• Air temperature
• Inactivity
• Emotions

When a physician is aware a patient has a high heart rate, steps can be taken to help ensure the heart remains healthy. This can decrease the risk of numerous medical issues including cardiovascular disease.

Vital Sign #4: Respiration

The respiratory rate is the number of times a person breathes per minute. To determine the rate, the number of breaths taken for one minute is counted according to how many times the chest rises.

Monitoring respiration is important for the detection of early signs of allergies or respiratory illness. A common cause of increased respiration levels is an infection. When respirations levels are tracked consistently, an illness can be detected before the entire body becomes infected. This enables the physician to prescribe treatment before the illness becomes advanced.

Vital Signs #5 & #6:  Height and Weight

A medical assistant will use a stadiometer to measure a patient’s height. A stadiometer is a device attached to a wall similar to a ruler. A sliding piece is adjusted to rest on top of the head to determine the height. Numerous types of scales are used to record body weight.

Weight and height are two of the best means of evaluating the overall health of a patient. When there are abnormal changes in weight and height it is a strong indication there is a medical issue. A fluctuation in height is a symptom of bone loss. This increases the risk of osteoporosis as the person ages.

There are many issues associated with a change in weight. This includes everything from poor lifestyle habits to underlying medical issues such as thyroid disease. A medical assistant checks weight and height and understands the average for the gender and age of the patient. This helps the patient improve their overall wellbeing by making healthy changes in their lifestyle.

What Disorders and Diseases Can be Detected Through Vital Signs?

Each vital sign can help detect any medical issues the patient is experiencing. Fluctuations in any vital sign can be a symptom of a serious medical condition.

Body Temperature

Numerous issues can be detected through fluctuations in body temperature. The doctor can determine if the medication is effective through body temperature. Hypothermia is an extremely low body temperature triggered by exposure to extreme cold. Whereas the opposite, hyperthermia is an extremely high body temperature triggered by exposure to extreme heat.

When the body temperature is extremely high or low, it is an indication the body may be in distress. A physician can use the medical history of the patient to determine if there is a reason to be concerned or if the issue can be resolved using a standard treatment.

Heart Rate

There are often fluctuations in heart rate due to illness, exercise, emotions and injury. Heart rate can also be impacted by athleticism, gender and age. Changes in heart rate are common as the patient ages. When the changes are either unexpected or too excessive, it is an indication a medical issue such as a heart condition. There are a variety of conditions determined by heart rate including:

• Over or under-active thyroid
• Excessive caffeine
• Over hydration or dehydration
• High-stress levels

If the patient does not receive enough exercise, their heart rate is unable to decrease to a normal beat as quickly as normal after intense activity. Also, heart rate can be affected by new or changed medication.

Respiration Rate

A change in respiration rate that is abnormal can indicate an underlying condition requiring treatment. An increased respiratory rate is caused by many factors. Respiratory rates can increase due to asthma attacks. Even if the increase is very small, it can be an indication of a worsening condition. When a person has a fever, their breathing often becomes quicker in an attempt to lose body heat. Rapid breathing can be triggered by dehydration. Infections including pneumonia and flu can also lead to rapid breathing. When the respiration rate decreases, it can indicate an issue. The potential causes include:

• Medications
• Illegal or prescribed narcotics
• Alcohol use

Sleep apnea often causes the individual to stop breathing during the night. This can include episodes of elevated and decreased breathing.

High Blood Pressure

The diagnosis of high blood pressure is called hypertension. This condition often goes unnoticed. This is because the individual does not usually have any symptoms. If not diagnosed and treated, high blood pressure can lead to numerous common medical issues including:

• Stroke
• Aneurysm
• Issues with understanding or memory
• Heart failure or heart attack

Low blood pressure is not nearly as common of a condition as high blood pressure. Under normal circumstances, a person is healthier if their blood pressure is lower. There are no guidelines currently suggesting a person’s blood pressure can be too low. If blood pressure is consistently low due and accompanied by any of the following symptoms the situation is considered high-risk. Low blood pressure can result in:

• Lightheadedness or dizziness
• Depression
• Unusual thirst or dehydration
• Issues with concentration
• Blurred vision
• Fatigue
• Shallow or rapid breathing
• Fainting
• Pale, clammy or cold skin
• Nausea

There are two significant blood pressure numbers, systolic and diastolic. Systolic is generally considered the more significant number by doctors. This is because an abnormal systolic reading is often an indication the patient is at a high risk of cardiovascular disease. If the patient is above the age of 50, this risk increases.

Final Thoughts

Vital signs are a portal into a patient’s health. As a medical assistant, you have the responsibility of taking vital signs at the beginning of every patient visit so the physician can understand the trends and make better diagnoses. Early detection can save lives. This is the awesome responsibility of every medial assistant. Become a medical assistant and join the front lines on patient health.

Did learning about the different vital signs a medical assistant takes interest you? Ä¢¹½´«Ã½ & Institute offers to gain essential skills and training. The core curriculum focuses on the medical assisting skills and training you will need to seek entry-level employment in physicians’ offices, clinics, hospitals, and other medical settings needing the services of associates trained in both front and back office medical assisting skills. These medical assisting courses will be the first step in starting a rewarding career.

Contact us to learn more about how you can become a medical assistant today.