Which of the following is a vital sign commonly monitored in patients?

Body temperature is a vital sign commonly monitored in patients as it provides important information about a person’s health status. It helps to assess the body’s ability to maintain homeostasis and can indicate the presence of infection, inflammation, or other medical conditions.

Vital signs, which typically include temperature, pulse, respiration, and blood pressure, are essential indicators of physiological functioning and guide clinical decision-making. Monitoring body temperature allows healthcare providers to identify febrile states that may require further investigation or intervention.

The other options, while important in monitoring a patient’s overall health, do not fall within the traditional definition of vital signs. Blood glucose level is critical for managing conditions like diabetes but is not routinely considered a vital sign. Weight can provide insights into nutritional status and fluid balance, and urine output is a key indicator of kidney function and hydration status, but neither of these is classified alongside the core vital signs that provide immediate information about a patient’s essential bodily functions.