Which vital sign measures the number of breaths taken in a minute?

Respiration is the vital sign that measures the number of breaths a person takes in one minute. This measurement is crucial because it helps assess a person's respiratory function and overall health status. During respiratory assessment, healthcare providers observe how many times the chest rises and falls within a minute, which directly reflects the efficiency of the lungs and can indicate whether a patient is experiencing any respiratory distress or other health issues.

In contrast, the other vital signs serve different purposes: temperature indicates the body’s thermal state, pulsation refers to the heart rate and rhythm, and blood pressure measures the force of blood against artery walls. While all these vital signs are important for a comprehensive health assessment, they specifically focus on different bodily functions and conditions.