What Are the Key Components of Patient Monitoring?
Monitoring involves several key components including vital signs, pain assessment, mental status, and laboratory results. Vital signs such as temperature, pulse, respiration, and blood pressure are fundamental indicators of a patient's health. Pain assessment is crucial as unmanaged pain can lead to complications. Monitoring mental status helps in identifying cognitive changes or emotional distress, which can affect recovery. Laboratory results provide data on physiological processes and help in evaluating the effectiveness of treatments.