What should you include when documenting vital signs?

• A. The color of the room
• B. The resident's mood
• C. The time you started the measurement
• D. The recorded exact values, date/time, and any abnormal findings; report to the nurse

Answer: (D)

When documenting vital signs, you need a complete and objective record: the exact numeric values you obtained, the date and time of the measurement, and any abnormal findings. This gives a precise snapshot of the resident’s condition and allows for tracking changes over time. If something is outside the expected range, you should report it to the nurse so they can determine the appropriate intervention. Details like the room color or the resident’s mood aren’t part of vital signs documentation, and simply noting when you started the measurement doesn’t provide the actual data or indicate whether values are normal.