Final answer:
The nurse should report to the physician if there are significant changes in a patient's vital signs, especially if the heart rate and breathing rate are elevated, as they may indicate a medical emergency like shock or increased intracranial pressure.
Step-by-step explanation:
A nurse reassesses the vital signs of a patient with a brain injury and should report to the physician immediately if there are significant changes. In this scenario, a set of vital signs to be concerned about might include a blood pressure of 126/68, pulse 110 beats/minute, respirations 32, as they indicate changes from the baseline. The elevation in heart rate (pulse) and breathing rate (respirations) could suggest the development of shock or increased intracranial pressure, both of which are medical emergencies.
Vital signs are indicators of the body's basic functions and are critical in assessing the health status of a patient. Any deviation from the normal range could signify a complication, particularly in a patient with a recent brain injury. Normal vital signs include a heart rate of 60-100 beats per minute, a breathing rate of 12-18 breaths per minute, and a blood pressure typically between 90/60 and 120/80 mm Hg. Therefore, a pulse of 110 and respirations at 32, which is above the normal range, along with the context of a brain injury, signifies a pressing need for medical intervention to prevent further complications such as ischemia or hypoxia.