Which vital signs are crucial to monitor before surgery?

Monitoring blood pressure, heart rate, respiratory rate, and temperature is essential before surgery as these vital signs provide critical information about the patient's physiological status and overall stability.

Blood pressure is vital for assessing vascular health and the heart's ability to pump blood effectively; it can indicate potential complications during anesthesia and surgery. Heart rate is an indicator of the heart's workload and can signal distress in the patient, particularly in response to stress or pain. Respiratory rate reflects the patient’s ability to exchange gases effectively and can identify any respiratory distress that could complicate anesthesia. Lastly, temperature is important as it helps detect any infections or complications such as hypothermia or hyperthermia, influencing surgical outcomes.

The other options, while they include relevant elements for assessing overall health, do not encompass the primary vital signs crucial for preoperative assessment. Blood sugar and oxygen saturation, while important, are secondary in priority compared to the core vital signs mentioned in the correct answer. Similarly, pain level and weight can provide context but do not serve as immediate indicators of the stability necessary for surgery.