What does the term "vital signs" include?

Vital signs are a set of measurements that reflect essential body functions and indicate a person's general health status. The correct choice includes temperature, pulse, respiration, and blood pressure. These four measurements provide critical information that healthcare providers use to assess a patient’s condition.

• Temperature measures the body’s heat, which can indicate infection or other health issues if it is too high or too low.
• Pulse reflects the heart rate and rhythm, serving as an indicator of cardiovascular health.
• Respiration assesses the rate and quality of breathing, which is crucial for oxygenation and overall respiratory function.
• Blood pressure provides insight into the force of blood against artery walls, helping evaluate cardiovascular health and the risk of conditions such as hypertension.

The inclusion of these four components makes the correct answer comprehensive, as they cover both the circulatory system (heart and blood pressure) and respiratory system (breathing rate and temperature regulation). Other options present measurements that are important in their own right but do not encompass the complete set of vital signs traditionally recognized in healthcare settings.