Question

Under the Patient Assessment Standard, what are the baseline vital signs?

a. Blood pressure, body temperature, and pulse.
b. Blood pressure, respiratory rate, and oxygen saturation.
c. Respiratory rate, pulse, and temperature.
d. Pulse, oxygen saturation, and blood pressure.

Answer 1

The baseline vital signs under the Patient Assessment Standard include blood pressure, body temperature, pulse, and respiratory rate. These measurements serve as crucial indicators of a patient's health and can signify the presence of disease.

Step-by-step explanation:

Under the Patient Assessment Standard, the baseline vital signs are a set of measurements that give an overview of a patient's current health status. These include:

• Blood pressure (normally between 90/60 and 120/80 mm Hg)
• Body temperature (normally 37 °C [98.6 °F])
• Pulse (normally 60-100 beats per minute)
• Respiratory rate (normally 12-18 breaths per minute)

Such measurements are critical as they are objective, measurable indicators that can reveal changes in the body's basic functions and may be indicative of disease. Therefore, the correct answer to the question is c. Respiratory rate, pulse, and temperature.