Queens University, Kingston, ON, Canada.
Nurs Philos. 2021 Jan;22(1):e12326. doi: 10.1111/nup.12326. Epub 2020 Oct 1.
Physiological observations or vital sign monitoring is a fundamental tenet of nursing care within an acute care setting. Surveillance of vital signs with algorithmic early warning frameworks aids the nurse in monitoring for early symptoms of clinical deterioration. The nurse must be cognizant of the factors that can influence the vital sign measurements because the framework score is only as reliable as the data inserted. Vital sign technology has made significant progress in its ability to objectify nursing subjective assessments. Early scientists have struggled with its relationship with subjectivity, claiming it has no relevance in true science. Quantitative measurements, regardless of how objectively they were created or obtained, need a subjective lens to interpret and act on the results. The skill of "making" the vital signs can be easily taught or done with technology, but it is the "taking" of the data for analysis of truth and action that requires a higher level of expertise. This paper will examine the truth of vital sign methodology and monitoring to explore the question, "Is true objectivity in the nursing practice of vital sign measurement possible?" The truth in vital sign recognition through a subjective lens will also be explored to challenge the philosophical scientific claims that objective data are the absolute truth.
生理观察或生命体征监测是急性护理环境中护理的基本原则。通过算法早期预警框架对生命体征进行监测有助于护士监测临床恶化的早期症状。护士必须意识到可能影响生命体征测量的因素，因为框架得分仅与插入的数据一样可靠。生命体征技术在客观化护理主观评估方面取得了重大进展。早期的科学家一直在努力研究它与主观性的关系，声称它在真正的科学中没有相关性。无论其创建或获取方式如何客观，定量测量都需要主观视角来解释和根据结果采取行动。“测量”生命体征的技能可以通过技术轻松教授或完成，但为了分析真相和采取行动而获取数据，则需要更高水平的专业知识。本文将探讨生命体征方法和监测的真实性，以探讨“在生命体征测量的护理实践中是否可能实现真正的客观性？”还将通过主观视角探讨生命体征识别的真实性，以挑战客观数据就是绝对真理的哲学科学主张。
