Vital Signs Nursing: Respiratory, Pulse, Blood Pressure, Temperature, Pain, Oxygen

RegisteredNurseRN · 2023 · All vital signs overview

This video, created by RegisteredNurseRN, provides a comprehensive introduction to all six vital signs and explains normal adult ranges, abnormal findings, and basic nursing assessment techniques. Unlike several of the other sources in this webliography, which focus on one specific skill, this resource gives a broad overview that helps nursing students understand how each vital sign contributes to patient assessment. The instructor explains why abnormal findings require additional assessment instead of simply memorizing normal values, making the information more clinically relevant. Because the content is organized clearly and presented by an experienced nursing educator, it is an excellent starting point before studying more specialized assessment techniques.

RegisteredNurseRN. (2023). Vital signs nursing: Respiratory, pulse, blood pressure, temperature, pain, oxygen [Video]. YouTube.

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Pulse Oximetry: Accuracy, Limitations and Skin Tone Bias

Strong Medicine · 2021 · Oxygen saturation

This Strong Medicine video examines the limitations of pulse oximetry and discusses current research on factors that can affect oxygen saturation readings, including darker skin pigmentation, poor circulation, and nail polish. Unlike the general vital signs videos in this collection, this resource focuses on the accuracy of a commonly used assessment tool rather than how to perform the procedure itself. The discussion of evidence-based research and potential sources of error helps nursing students develop critical thinking skills when interpreting SpO₂ readings instead of relying on the monitor alone. This makes it especially valuable for understanding the clinical limitations of pulse oximetry and improving patient safety.

Strong Medicine. (2021). Pulse oximetry: Accuracy, limitations and skin tone bias [Video]. YouTube.

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Apical Pulse and Heart Sound Assessment

Nurse Sarah / RegisteredNurseRN · 2022 · Pulse assessment

RegisteredNurseRN provides a step-by-step demonstration of how to locate the fifth intercostal space at the left midclavicular line, count an apical pulse for one full minute, and recognize when an apical-radial pulse deficit requires further assessment. Compared with the broader overview resources in this webliography, this video offers more detailed instruction on a single nursing skill through visual demonstration and clinical examples. The clear explanation of anatomical landmarks and the emphasis on situations in which an apical pulse is preferred over a radial pulse make this resource particularly useful for nursing students practicing health assessment and preparing for clinical skills checkoffs.

Nurse Sarah. (2022). Apical pulse assessment nursing [Video and article]. RegisteredNurseRN.

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Recognising the Deteriorating Patient

Health Education England / e-Learning for Healthcare · 2023 · Clinical deterioration

Health Education England’s Recognising the Deteriorating Patient uses interactive, scenario-based modules to teach healthcare providers how to identify early signs of patient deterioration using the ABCDE assessment approach. Unlike the other resources in this webliography, which primarily explain individual vital signs or normal values, this source demonstrates how changes in vital sign trends guide clinical decision-making. The realistic patient scenarios and emphasis on monitoring changes over time instead of relying on a single reading make this resource especially valuable for nursing students preparing for clinical practice. Its focus on recognizing when to escalate care distinguishes it from more basic vital sign references.

Health Education England. (2023). Deteriorating patient programme [Video modules]. e-Learning for Healthcare.

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Vital Signs (Body Temperature, Pulse Rate, Respiration Rate, Blood Pressure)

Johns Hopkins Medicine · 2024 · Reference ranges

Johns Hopkins Medicine provides an evidence-based reference guide to normal adult vital sign ranges while explaining what each measurement means in language that patients can understand. Unlike the instructional videos in this webliography, this source serves as a quick reference that nursing students can use to verify normal values and reinforce patient education. Its credibility comes from being published by a nationally recognized academic medical center, and its patient-friendly explanations make it particularly useful when preparing discharge instructions or answering patients’ questions about their vital signs.

Johns Hopkins Medicine. (2024). Vital signs: Body temperature, pulse rate, respiration rate, blood pressure. Health Library.

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2017 ACC/AHA Guideline for High Blood Pressure in Adults

American Heart Association · 2023 · Hypertension staging

This American Heart Association resource explains the current blood pressure categories, including elevated blood pressure, stage 1 hypertension, stage 2 hypertension, and hypertensive crisis, using nationally accepted clinical guidelines. Compared with the general vital sign references in this webliography, this source provides more detailed information about interpreting blood pressure readings and determining when immediate medical evaluation is needed. Its use of evidence-based guidelines and clear staging criteria makes it an authoritative resource for nursing students learning cardiovascular assessment and clinical decision-making. The explanation of when blood pressure values require urgent intervention makes this source especially distinctive.

American Heart Association. (2023). Understanding blood pressure readings. Heart.org.

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Respiratory Rate: The Neglected Vital Sign

Nursing Times · 2022 · Respiratory rate

This article from Nursing Times explains why respiratory rate is often considered the most important yet most overlooked vital sign. Unlike the general vital sign resources in this webliography, it focuses on research showing that changes in respiratory rate often occur before other signs of patient deterioration. The article also discusses why healthcare providers sometimes estimate instead of accurately counting respirations and how this can delay recognition of serious illness. Its evidence-based discussion of a commonly overlooked assessment makes it especially valuable for nursing students learning to recognize early clinical changes.

Nursing Times. (2022). Respiratory rate: The neglected vital sign. Nursing Times Clinical Archive.

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National Early Warning Score (NEWS2) Standardising Assessment of Acute Illness

Royal College of Physicians · 2023 · Early warning scores

Published by the Royal College of Physicians, this resource explains how the NEWS2 scoring system combines multiple vital signs into a standardized patient risk score. Unlike the other resources, which focus on collecting individual vital signs, this source teaches nursing students how to interpret assessment findings and determine when escalation of care is needed. The complete scoring chart and clear explanation of escalation thresholds make it an excellent reference for developing clinical judgment. Its emphasis on evidence-based decision-making distinguishes it from basic vital sign guides.

Royal College of Physicians. (2023). National Early Warning Score (NEWS2). RCP London.

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Pain as the Fifth Vital Sign: Assessment Tools in Practice

American Nurses Association · 2023 · Pain assessment

This American Nurses Association resource reviews several validated pain assessment tools, including the Numeric Rating Scale, FACES Pain Scale, and FLACC Scale, while emphasizing that pain scores should be interpreted alongside the patient’s overall condition. Compared with the other resources in this webliography, which focus primarily on objective vital signs, this article highlights the importance of assessing a subjective symptom using evidence-based tools. Its discussion of appropriate pain assessment and safe clinical decision-making makes it a valuable resource for nursing students caring for patients of different ages and communication abilities.

American Nurses Association. (2023). Pain assessment and management position statements. NursingWorld.

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Temperature Measurement Sites: Accuracy Compared

NCBI Bookshelf / StatPearls · 2024 · Temperature

This peer-reviewed StatPearls article compares oral, tympanic, temporal, axillary, and rectal temperature measurement methods and explains the advantages and limitations of each. Unlike the introductory vital sign resources in this webliography, it provides a more detailed discussion of why temperature readings vary by measurement site and when one method is preferred over another. The evidence-based comparison of temperature routes and explanation of expected differences make this resource especially useful for nursing students developing accurate assessment skills.

StatPearls. (2024). Vital sign assessment. NCBI Bookshelf, National Library of Medicine.

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Paediatric Vital Sign Ranges by Age

Royal Children’s Hospital Melbourne · 2024 · Paediatrics

The Royal Children’s Hospital Melbourne provides evidence-based reference ranges for pediatric heart rate, respiratory rate, blood pressure, and other vital signs based on age. Unlike the adult reference guides in this webliography, this resource emphasizes that normal vital sign values change throughout childhood and should not be compared with adult standards. The age-specific charts and clinical practice recommendations make it a reliable reference for nursing students caring for pediatric patients. Its focus on pediatric assessment distinguishes it from the other resources in this collection.

Royal Children’s Hospital Melbourne. (2024). Normal ranges for physiological variables. Clinical Practice Guidelines.

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Orthostatic Vital Signs: How and Why

Nurse.org · 2023 · Orthostatic assessment

This Nurse.org article explains the correct procedure for measuring orthostatic vital signs by comparing blood pressure and heart rate in the lying, sitting, and standing positions. Unlike the general blood pressure resources in this webliography, this source focuses on a specialized assessment used to identify orthostatic hypotension and evaluate patients with dizziness, dehydration, or falls. The step-by-step instructions, recommended timing intervals, and explanation of the blood pressure changes that indicate orthostatic hypotension make it especially useful for nursing students preparing for clinical skills and patient assessments. Its practical emphasis on performing and interpreting orthostatic vital signs distinguishes it from the other blood pressure resources in this collection.

Nurse.org. (2023). Orthostatic vital signs: How and why. Nurse.org Articles.

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A Day in the Life: Morning Rounds and Vitals on a Med-Surg Floor

Nurse Blake · 2024 · Workflow reality

This vlog follows a medical-surgical nurse through a typical shift and demonstrates how vital sign assessments fit into daily patient care. Unlike the instructional videos in this webliography, this resource shows how assessment skills are used in a real clinical setting, including prioritizing patients, managing time, and delegating routine vital sign collection to nursing assistants. The realistic workflow gives nursing students a better understanding of how classroom skills translate into practice. Its behind-the-scenes perspective makes it especially useful for students preparing for their first clinical rotations.

Nurse Blake. (2024). A day in the life: Morning rounds and vitals on med-surg [Vlog]. YouTube.

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Nursing Student Clinical Vlog: My First Set of Vitals

Nurse Liz · 2023 · Student perspective

This vlog documents a nursing student’s first experience performing vital signs during clinicals and discusses common mistakes, nervousness, and instructor feedback. Unlike the professional teaching videos in this webliography, it provides a student perspective that many beginning nursing students can relate to. The honest reflection on building confidence and improving assessment skills makes this resource encouraging as well as educational. It is especially valuable for helping new students understand that developing competence with vital signs takes practice and experience.

Nurse Liz. (2023). Nursing student clinical vlog: My first set of vitals [Vlog]. YouTube.

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ICU Nurse Vlog: Reading Continuous Monitoring and Arterial Lines

ICU Advantage · 2024 · Critical care monitoring

This ICU-focused vlog explains how continuous hemodynamic monitoring expands on the basic vital sign assessment taught in nursing fundamentals. Unlike the other resources, which focus on manual vital signs and routine patient care, this source introduces advanced concepts such as mean arterial pressure (MAP), arterial line waveforms, and recognizing inaccurate monitor readings. The comparison between manual and invasive monitoring helps nursing students understand how assessment skills develop in critical care settings. Its emphasis on interpreting complex monitoring data makes it a distinctive resource for students interested in intensive care nursing.

ICU Advantage. (2024). Reading continuous monitoring and arterial lines [Vlog]. YouTube.

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Community and Home Health Vitals Round

The Nurse Nook · 2023 · Community nursing

This vlog demonstrates how nurses assess and document vital signs during community and home health visits using portable equipment and patient education techniques. Unlike the hospital-based vlogs in this webliography, this resource focuses on providing care outside of the clinical setting, where nurses must rely on portable devices and teach patients how to monitor their own health. The demonstrations of blood pressure cuff calibration, accurate self-monitoring logs, and documentation practices make this resource especially useful for nursing students interested in community or home health nursing. Its emphasis on patient education and independent monitoring distinguishes it from the other clinical workflow resources in this collection.

The Nurse Nook. (2023). Community and home health vitals round [Vlog]. YouTube.

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Nursing Mnemonics and Assessment Shortcuts

NURSING.com (NRSNG) Podcast · 2024 · Memory aids

NURSING.com. (2024). Nursing This Straight A Nursing podcast provides an in-depth review of vital signs by explaining normal ranges, common abnormalities, and practical strategies for interpreting assessment findings in clinical settings. Unlike the articles and videos in this webliography, this audio resource allows nursing students to reinforce key concepts while commuting, studying, or reviewing for exams. The host connects vital sign changes to real patient scenarios and emphasizes clinical reasoning rather than memorization, making the content easier to apply in practice. Its conversational format and focus on exam preparation distinguish it from the other resources in this collection while supporting nursing students’ understanding of vital sign assessment.
mnemonics and assessment shortcuts [Audio podcast]. NURSING.com.

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Critical Care Scenarios: Sepsis Recognition from Vital Signs

Critical Care Scenarios Podcast · 2024 · Sepsis and escalation

This podcast uses case-based discussions to explain how changes in vital signs can help nurses recognize sepsis before a patient rapidly deteriorates. Unlike the general vital sign resources in this webliography, this episode focuses on interpreting assessment findings in a critical care emergency rather than simply measuring or documenting them. The discussion of qSOFA criteria, lactate levels, and subtle changes in vital sign trends demonstrates how early recognition supports timely intervention and improves patient outcomes. Its emphasis on clinical reasoning through realistic patient scenarios makes it a distinctive resource for nursing students developing critical thinking and emergency assessment skills.

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