Do More While Taking Vital Signs

Taking vital signs is a usual routine for nurses and student nurses. In an 8-hour shift, vital signs are taken at least twice and is regarded as the indicator of the patient’s health status.

After collecting the data, interpreting it, determining what is normal and what is not, and concluding that the patient is stable, what’s next?

Actually, you can do more during that brief period of time than just inflating a BP cuff and counting beats and breaths.  Using this time for a variety of assessments is a good use of a nurse’s time.

During that time, use your other senses to gather more information. Look at the facial expression and position. Grimacing and splinting of a body part indicates feelings of discomfort. Listen to your patient. Different audible breath sounds can tell a lot about the respiratory status of a patient. Moaning or groaning is another indication of discomfort.

Talk to your patient. Subjective data is just as important as objective data. Ask your patient how he is feeling.  If he is in pain, use the pain scale to rate the intensity of pain. Even if his BP, RR, PR, and temperature are in normal range, being in pain does not make him stable and is a problem that needs intervention. Engaging in conversation gives you the opportunity to establish rapport and gain trust.

Vital signs are important data in identifying client needs, but being nurses dedicated to patient care,we should see the patient as a whole. Even in the simple things, no matter how routine they already are, we should always remember that our goal is to provide quality patient care.

Learn more about vital signs and nurses in this episode of the Nursing Show podcast