What are the key components of vital signs a medical assistant must measure?

Vital signs are essential indicators of a patient's health status, providing critical information about the body's physiological functions. The key components that a medical assistant must measure include blood pressure, pulse, temperature, and respiration.

Blood pressure gives insight into the force of the blood against the walls of the arteries, which is vital for understanding cardiovascular health. Pulse indicates heart rate and rhythm, helping assess heart function. Temperature reflects the body's metabolic state and can indicate infection or other medical conditions. Respiration rate reveals how well the patient is breathing and can signal respiratory health or distress.

While the other options contain important health measurements, they do not encompass the standard set of vital signs. Height and weight measure physical growth and body composition, whereas body mass index and blood oxygen level, although valuable, are not considered vital signs. Additionally, hydration level, while important for overall health, is not a standard vital sign measurement. Therefore, the combination of blood pressure, pulse, temperature, and respiration represents the fundamental vital signs essential for patient assessment.