Normal Adult Ranges

Vital Sign	Typical Adult Range	Key Terms
Temperature	36.1–37.2 °C (97–99 °F) oral	Fever ≥ 38.0 °C (100.4 °F) · Hypothermia < 35 °C (95 °F)
Heart rate	60–100 beats/min, regular	Tachycardia > 100 · Bradycardia < 60
Respiratory rate	12–20 breaths/min, even and unlabored	Tachypnea > 20 · Bradypnea < 12
Blood pressure	Normal < 120/80 mmHg	Elevated 120–129/<80 · Hypertension ≥ 130/80 · Hypotension often < 90/60
Oxygen saturation	95–100% on room air	Many facilities intervene < 92–94%; COPD targets may be lower (often 88–92%) per provider order
Pain	Patient-reported (0–10 scale)	"The fifth vital sign", assess location, quality, onset, and what makes it better or worse

Red Flags, Escalate Promptly

• Any trend of worsening values, a rising heart rate with falling blood pressure is more alarming than either number alone
• New confusion, restlessness, or decreased level of consciousness
• Respiratory rate climbing above 24–26, accessory-muscle use, or new O₂ requirement
• SpO₂ falling despite supplemental oxygen
• Systolic BP dropping below 90 mmHg or a fall of ≥ 20–30 mmHg from the patient's baseline
• New chest pain, severe shortness of breath, or signs of stroke, activate emergency response per policy

Assessment Reminders

• Compare to the patient's baseline, not just the textbook range
• Recheck abnormal values manually before acting on a machine reading
• Correct cuff size and arm position (heart level) for accurate BP
• Count respirations while appearing to take the pulse, patients change their breathing when watched
• Document promptly and report significant changes using SBAR