When assessing a patient's vital signs, what is typically the first measure taken?

In clinical practice, the first vital sign typically assessed is temperature. This is because measuring the temperature provides immediate information regarding the patient's state of health, specifically in terms of potential infection or inflammatory processes. Monitoring temperature can be critical in diagnosing conditions such as fevers, which might indicate systemic infections, and is often the quickest measure to determine the patient's baseline health status.

The sequence of assessing vital signs can vary based on the protocol of the healthcare setting or the condition of the patient, but temperature is frequently prioritized as a preliminary assessment due to its broad implications for patient care. Understanding the patient's temperature can guide further assessment and intervention, making it a fundamental first step in the evaluation of vital signs.