VS: Understanding Vital Signs - Definition & Importance

The medical abbreviation VS stands for vital signs. Vital signs are a set of measurements used to assess a person's basic health status. They include:

- Body temperature

- Pulse rate

- Respiratory rate

- Blood pressure

Vital signs are typically taken on admission to a hospital or emergency department, and during the course of illness or injury. They can also be measured at home as an indicator of overall health.