What are vital signs?

Vital signs refer specifically to measurements of essential bodily functions that provide critical information about a person's health status. These measurements typically include temperature, pulse, respiration rate, and blood pressure. Monitoring vital signs is a fundamental aspect of patient care, as they can help identify potential health issues, guide treatment decisions, and monitor the effectiveness of interventions.

While emotional responses, dietary intake, and physical fitness assessments are important aspects of a patient's overall health and well-being, they do not fall under the category of vital signs. Vital signs are objective data points that are systematically measured and monitored in healthcare settings.