What are the vital signs a lifeguard should monitor in an injured victim?

Monitoring vital signs is critical in assessing the condition of an injured victim, and the vital signs a lifeguard should focus on include pulse, breathing rate, and consciousness.

The pulse provides important information about the heart rate and strength of circulation. A lifeguard can assess the victim’s pulse to determine whether they are experiencing shock or other related conditions. The breathing rate indicates how well the victim is ventilating; difficulty in breathing or irregular breathing patterns can signify a serious medical emergency. Lastly, assessing consciousness, often evaluated using the AVPU scale (Alert, Verbal response, Pain response, Unresponsive), helps determine the victim's neurological state and can indicate the severity of their condition.

In contrast, other choices incorporate elements that are less relevant to immediate life-threatening situations. Skin color, emotion, and speech may provide some context on a victim's overall state, but they are not core vital signs to monitor for immediate medical assessment. Meanwhile, heart rate and body temperature are included in some responses, but the specific wording, such as mood, does not pertain to vital signs necessary for urgent evaluations. Finally, breathing rate and skin texture could offer peripheral information, but only breathing rate is a critical vital sign needed in the context of an injury.