Which vital signs must a Hospital Corpsman monitor?

Monitoring vital signs is an essential component of patient care for a Hospital Corpsman, as these indicators reflect the body's physiological state and can help identify any immediate health concerns.

The correct answer includes temperature, pulse, respiration, and blood pressure—often referred to as the "four core vital signs." Each of these plays a crucial role in assessing a patient's health:

• Temperature indicates the patient’s current thermal state and helps identify fever or hypothermia.

• Pulse reflects the heart rate and rhythm, providing insight into cardiovascular health and the body's response to stress or illness.

• Respiration measures the rate and quality of breathing, which is vital for assessing oxygenation and ventilation status.

• Blood pressure is critical for evaluating cardiovascular health and can indicate conditions like hypertension or shock.

Together, these measurements provide a comprehensive snapshot of a patient's baseline health status and can signal the need for further assessment or intervention.

The other options lack some or all of these fundamental vital signs. For instance, weight and height may be relevant in a different context, but they do not provide acute information regarding the patient's immediate physiological state. Similarly, while oxygen saturation is important, it is not one of the standard four vital signs. Other entries like