Checking vital signs is a common assessment you’ll perform as a nurse. Here’s a quick nursing “vital signs cheat sheet” for adult patients!
Nursing Vital Signs (Adults):
- Normal Heart rate: 60-100 beats per minute
- Normal Temperature Range: 97-99F (36.1-37.2C)
- Normal Respiratory Rate: 12-20 breaths per minute
- Normal Blood pressure: Systolic 90-120 mmHg; Diastolic: 60-80 mmHg
- Normal Oxygen Saturation (SpO2): 95-100%
There are some exceptions to the normal ranges, of course. For example, some healthy athletes can have a normal heart rate as low as 40-60. In older adults, a normal temperature can be as low as 96.4F.
How to Check Vital Signs
If you want some tips on how to collect vital signs in a patient, check out our video demonstration below:
Note: Vital signs can sometimes vary for certain patient populations, so always refer to your facility’s protocols or your professor’s ranges when collecting and reporting vital signs.