ABSTRACT
Following the recording of all vital signs, the NEWS2 will be calculated and the appropriate actions taken as per the clinical guidelines of your practice area. This chapter aimed to help you develop your skills in assessing vital signs and recording NEWS2 scores within the practice setting. These vital signs should not be considered in isolation but as part of a person's holistic assessment, which will include a range of other observations and information from various sources. It is imperative that you observe, question, discuss and practise recording vital signs first in a simulated environment and then in a clinical area. It is necessary to become familiar with clinical equipment used for vital signs monitoring to ensure that this equipment is used correctly. Overreliance of electronic equipment should be avoided because there is a potential to become deskilled in monitoring vital signs. Observation, rehearsal and supervised practice will initially develop your confidence in performing this set of skills.
