Vital Signs Vital signs are measured to find any changes in normal body function. They are also used to determine a patient ’ s response to treatment. Dangerous situation can be found from the vital signs. The vital signs reflect the activity of the respiratory and circulatory systems. They are indicators of the status of a person ’ s health. An individual ’ s temperature (T), pulse (P), respirations (R), and blood pressure (BP) will vary within certain limits during a 24-hour period. Variations from the normal limits in the vital signs readings indicate a change in the health status of the person. You need to be aware that many factors affect vital signs. These include sleep, activity, eating, weather, noise, exercise, medications, fear, anxiety and illness. They may cause vital signs to change, sometimes beyond the normal range. The vital signs are measured as a part of a regular physical examination. They are also measured when a person is admitted to a health care center. The nurse must know how to measure and record the various vital signs, interpret the data, communicate them to others and plan appropriate treatment. Hospitalized patients have vital signs measured several times a day. The doctor or nurse compares each measurement with the ones measured before. Unless otherwise ordered, vital signs should be taken with the patient in a comfortable lying or sitting position. The patient should be at rest when vital signs are measured. Vital signs reflect even minor changes in a person ’ s condition. They must be measured accurately ( 精确地 ). vital signs also need to be accurately reported and recorded. The accurate assessment of vital signs is an important and crucial part of nursing care. Any vital signs that is changed from a previous measurement must be reported immediately.