Final answer:
Vital signs including heart rate, respiratory rate, blood pressure, and body temperature are key indicators of health or disease. The Apgar score, assessing skin color, heart rate, reflex, muscle tone, and respiration just after birth, helps determine a newborn's condition, with scores below 7 warranting potential medical care.
Step-by-step explanation:
Vital signs are crucial indicators used to assess the body's primary functions, including heart rate, breathing rate, blood pressure, and body temperature. These signs are objective and measurable factors that can reveal the presence of a disease. For instance, a fever is indicated by a body temperature higher than the normal 37 °C (98.6 °F), and it is a clear sign of disease as it reflects a deviation from the standard measure. The respiratory rate can vary in response to illness, controlled by the medulla oblongata in the brain, which adjusts to the levels of carbon dioxide, oxygen, and pH in the blood.
In newborns, the Apgar score is used right after birth to quickly summarize the health of the baby. This score evaluates five criteria: skin color, heart rate, reflex, muscle tone, and respiration. Each criterion is given a score of 0, 1, or 2, and the total score helps determine the baby's overall condition. Scores below 7 at the 5-minute mark may indicate the need for medical intervention.
Changes in these vital signs and the Apgar score are critical for identifying potential health issues and determining the necessary medical treatment for both adults and newborns.