Vital Signs Assessment and Normal Ranges
Vital signs — temperature, pulse, respiration, blood pressure, and oxygen saturation — reflect physiological status. Nurses must know normal ranges and act on abnormal values.
Practice Vital Signs with PassMate AI →Key Points to Know
What you must know about Vital Signs
Normal adult temperature is about 36.1–37.2°C (average 37°C).
Normal adult pulse is 60–100 beats per minute.
Normal adult respiratory rate is 12–20 breaths per minute.
Normal adult blood pressure is around 120/80 mmHg.
Normal oxygen saturation (SpO2) is 95–100%.
Always compare current readings with the patient’s baseline and trend over time.
NMCN Exam Tips
How this topic appears in the NMCN exam
Memorise all adult normal ranges — these appear in almost every exam.
Pulse below 60 = bradycardia; above 100 = tachycardia.
Respiratory rate is often the first vital sign to change in deterioration.
Count an irregular pulse for a full minute.
Practice Question
Test yourself
What is the normal range for the respiratory rate of a healthy adult at rest?
Explanation
The normal adult respiratory rate is 12–20 breaths per minute. Rates below 12 (bradypnoea) or above 20 (tachypnoea) may indicate respiratory or metabolic problems and require assessment.
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