What it means
The first set of findings taken before a treatment or change, or what is normal for this particular client. Baseline vital signs are taken before giving a drug, blood or anesthesia; a baseline mental status tells the team whether new confusion is a change. In fetal monitoring, the baseline is the average fetal heart rate between contractions.
For the nurse
Always compare a finding with the client's own baseline, not only with textbook normals: a blood pressure of 110/70 may be low for a client whose usual is 160/90.
In a chart
"Baseline vital signs obtained before transfusion: T 36.8 °C, P 82, R 16, BP 128/74."
At a glance
| Spanish | valor basal, línea de base |
|---|---|
| Also written | baselines |
Related terms
assess
To gather information about a client by looking, listening, asking, measuring and examining.
vital signs
The basic body measurements: temperature, pulse, breathing rate and blood pressure, often with oxygen saturation and pain.
evaluate
To judge whether care worked by comparing the client's results with the goals that were set.
fetal heart rate
The number of times the unborn baby's heart beats per minute.