---
title: What do Vital Signs Consist of?
url: "https://arizonacollege.edu/blog/what-do-vital-signs-consist-of/"
type: post
date_published: 2014-09-08
date_modified: 2025-12-26
schema:
  @type: Article
language: en-US
word_count: 456
reading_time: 3 min
canonical: "https://arizonacollege.edu/blog/what-do-vital-signs-consist-of/"
categories:
  - "Health & Wellness"
topic:
  - "Medical Assisting|Nursing"
---

# What do Vital Signs Consist of?

Anytime you go to the doctor, typically the first things that the Medical
Assistant begins to measure are your Vital Signs. Do you know what Vital Signs
are and what the normal range for an average adult should be?

Vital signs typically consist of four primary readings:

- **Temperature**– the baseline for the body’s core temperature at which it
  functions under normal conditions. The body and its systems are constantly
  burning energy and temperature is tightly controlled. This process is called
  Thermoregulation. The average adult temperature is approximately 98.6 degrees
  Fahrenheit. The purpose for checking body temperature is to check for an
  increased temperature; which is an indication that the body is fighting and
  infection.
- **Pulse/Heart Rate**– the expansion/contraction of an artery and is typically
  measured on the body at the wrist or ankle. The measure is counted in beats
  per minute and the average for an adult is 50-80 beats per minute.
- **Blood Pressure**– consists of two readings, a high systolic reading (which
  occurs when the heart contracts) and a lower diastolic reading (which occurs
  when the heart is at rest). A normal reading for an adult would be 120
  systolic over 80 diastolic.
- **Respiratory Rate**– the process of breathing in oxygen and breathing out
  carbon dioxide. The average respiratory rate for an adult is 16-20 breaths per
  minute.

In addition to the basic four primary vital sign readings, physicians typically
require Medical Assistants to also include readings for height and weight as a
measure for general health and BMI (Body Mass Index).

- **Height**-is measured in inches with your shoes removed. Height is monitored
  for infants/toddlers/adolescents to ensure they are on the correct growth
  curve. For adults, height is monitored as an indication for bone loss during
  the beginning stages of osteoporosis.
- **Weight**-is measured in pounds and determines total body weight. This number
  can be used in conjunction with your height to determine your BMI (Body Mass
  Index), which can determine on a general scale, if one is underweight, normal
  weight, overweight or obese. Keep in mind that the BMI does not calculate
  muscle weight vs. fat weight.

Have you ever wanted to learn how to take vital signs or wondered what it would
be like to have a career as a Medical Assistant or Nurse? Arizona College offers
a
[Medical Assisting degree and diploma programs](https://www.arizonacollege.edu/all-programs/medical-assisting/)
, as well as a
[Bachelor of Science in Nursing](https://www.arizonacollege.edu/nursing/nursing-program-information/)
. Make a change in your future, and
[Contact Arizona College](https://www.arizonacollege.edu/request-information/)
today to learn more about our degree and diploma programs offered at our
Glendale and Mesa campuses.

---

_Information in this blog post is accurate as of September 8, 2014._

**Categories:** Health & Wellness