What Size Is 80 in Baby Clothes? | Baby Clothing Size Guide
June 14, 2025
Vinotherapy vs Aromatherapy: Which Wellness Therapy Suits You Best?
June 18, 2025Clinical observations are used in healthcare settings to monitor a patient’s vital signs. While assessing the patient visually, such as noting any changes in appearance, may offer some clue as to how they are feeling, you cannot always see that something may be wrong. Carrying out routine tests on blood pressure and heart rate is vital to check that a patient is on the road to recovery.
What Tests Are Carried Out?
Nursing or clinical observations are routine checks that monitor a patient’s body while they are in a clinical setting. They include:
Body temperature – this is taken using a thermometer which is put under an armpit, in the ear or under the tongue.
Blood pressure – a cuff is put around the patient’s arm and inflated to measure how hard the heart is working to pump blood.
Heart rate or pulse and oxygen saturation – measured with a sensor which is placed on a finger or toe to count a patient’s heartbeat. The same device, which is like a peg, can also measure levels of blood oxygen.
Respiratory rate – counted by a nurse or healthcare assistant using a timer and watching how many breaths are taken in a minute.
Pain score – the patient is asked how bad their pain is on a scale of 0 to 10.
Who Can Do Them?
All of these clinical observation tests are taught on clinical training courses from providers such as https://www.tidaltraining.co.uk/clinical-training-courses and in the UK are regulated by the Health and Social Care Act 2008. They are used because they can be lifesaving. Healthcare staff are given continuous training to ensure they are complying with guidelines and are aware of the latest techniques and technology.
Regular observations are carried out to note any changes in how the body is performing to determine the health status of a patient and make diagnoses. They also help monitor progress after surgery or illness and are used by clinicians to adapt treatment plans, ensuring the patient is given timely and appropriate treatment which allows them to recover and be discharged.
