What are some common vital signs that a CNA should monitor?

Monitoring vital signs is a critical responsibility for certified nursing assistants (CNAs) as these indicators provide essential information about a patient's current health status and can signal changes that require immediate attention. The correct choice includes blood pressure, heart rate, respiratory rate, and temperature, which are the four primary vital signs used to assess a person's physiological state.

Blood pressure measures the force of blood against the walls of the arteries, providing insights into cardiovascular health. Heart rate indicates how many times the heart beats per minute, reflecting overall heart function and circulation. Respiratory rate counts how many breaths a person takes in a minute, which can reveal information about the respiratory system and oxygenation. Temperature helps assess for fever or hypothermia, indicating infection or other health issues.

While height, weight, and blood type are important, they do not provide immediate insights into an individual's acute health status in the same way vital signs do. Monitoring vision, hearing, and mobility is significant but pertains to sensory and physical capabilities rather than vital physiological functions. Lastly, tracking daily diet and physical activity level is essential for overall wellness but does not directly measure physiological conditions or immediate health changes. Thus, the focus on vital signs in the correct answer reflects their critical role in healthcare monitoring.