Fill in the Blanks Vital signsOnline version Health and Social Care by Mark Kevin Cosico Diacos 1 measure Orally thermometer . Temperature can be taken by mouth using either the classic glass , or the more modern digital thermometers that use an electronic probe to body temperature . 2 Hypothermia temperature low 98 Body may be abnormal due to fever ( high temperature ) or hypothermia ( temperature ) . A fever is indicated when body temperature rises about one degree or more over the normal temperature of . 6 degrees Fahrenheit , according to the American Academy of Family Physicians . is defined as a drop in body temperature below 95 degrees Fahrenheit . 3 heart contract blood arteries pulse The rate is a measurement of the rate , or the number of times the heart beats per minute . As the heart pushes through the , the arteries expand and with the flow of the blood . 4 rest Respiration counting breaths respiration The rate is the number of a person takes per minute . The rate is usually measured when a person is at and simply involves counting the number of breaths for one minute by how many times the chest rises . rates may increase with fever , illness , and other medical conditions . 5 relaxation contraction highest pressure contracts against Blood is the force of the blood pushing the artery walls during and of the heart . Each time the heart beats , it pumps blood into the arteries , resulting in the blood pressure as the heart . When the heart relaxes , the blood pressure falls .