Title: Assess vital signs and anthropometric measurements and findings.
Course: Medical Assistant I (14151-I) > Section: Conducting Patient Triage

Assessment should include

- Vital signs
- Temperature
- Pulse rate
- Respiratory rate
- Blood pressure
- Pulse oximetry/oxygen saturation
- Pain
- Length (infant)
- Head circumference (infant)
- Head circumference (adult), as needed
  - Chest circumference, as needed
  - Anthropometric (body) measurements
    - height
    - weight
    - body mass index (BMI)

Findings should be recorded completely and accurately on a patient chart or other form as instructed by supervising medical professional.

Process/Skill Questions:

- What are vital signs? Why are they important?
- What is heart rate? What are the steps required in measuring heart rate? What are appropriate methods of measuring heart rate? Why is measuring heart rate important? When are appropriate times to measure heart rate?
- What is blood pressure? What are the steps required in measuring in measuring blood pressure? What are appropriate methods of measuring blood pressure? What are alternative methods of measuring blood pressure?
- Why does a blood pressure reading include two numbers? Why is measuring blood pressure important? When are appropriate times to measure blood pressure?
- What are respirations? What are the steps required in measuring respiratory rate? What are appropriate methods of measuring respiratory rate? Why is measuring respiratory rate important?
- What is body temperature? What are the appropriate methods of assessing body temperature? What are the steps required in the various methods of measuring body temperature? Why is obtaining body temperature important?
- What is the medical term for body measurements?
- Why is measuring height and weight important?
- What are the various techniques for measuring height and weight of different populations?
- Why is it important to be accurate both in measuring and in documenting height and weight?
- What are adult and pediatric variations in obtaining vital signs?
- What are normal ranges for each vital sign?
- When is concern warranted or what findings should be reported to provider immediately? When is follow-up necessary?