Basic Nursing Skills
Measuring Vital Signs
Read a thermometer, count a radial pulse, count respirations without telling the patient, and take a manual blood pressure. Accuracy matters; clean technique matters.
5-10 minutes•8 steps•5 criticalAlways tested
Why this matters
Temperature, pulse, respirations, blood pressure — the data the nurse charts.
Quick tips
- Count respirations WITHOUT the patient knowing — keep your fingers on the wrist
- Take BP after the patient has rested for at least 5 minutes
- Note which arm you used — quality control and consistency
Common mistakes
- Announcing you're counting respirations (causes the patient to change their breathing)
- Letting the mercury column drop too fast (3 mmHg/second is the rule)
- Recuffing before the needle fully settles
- Reporting values that don't match the patient's condition