Livstegn

Livstegn, or signs of life, is a term used in medicine and emergency care to describe indicators that a living person or animal is alive. The presence or absence of livstegn informs assessments, triage decisions, and resuscitation considerations. While the term is commonly used in clinical and prehospital settings, it also appears in forensic and veterinary contexts, where signs of life help determine the course of evaluation or intervention.

Common livstegn include spontaneous breathing, movement or responsiveness, a detectable pulse, skin coloration and warmth, and pupil or reflex responses. In clinical practice, these signs are often considered alongside more formal measurements, known as vital signs, such as heart rate, respiratory rate, blood pressure, body temperature, and, when available, oxygen saturation. Together, livstegn and vital signs help clinicians assess airway, breathing, and circulation, as well as overall neurological status.

Assessment of livstegn relies on both observation and measurement. Practitioners may observe breathing patterns, facial expressions, or responses to touch, and palpate pulses to estimate circulatory status. Modern monitoring devices provide continuous data on heart rate, blood pressure, oxygenation, and respiratory effort, enhancing the evaluation of life signs in real time.

Limitations exist: some individuals may exhibit minimal or irregular signs that do not reflect their true life status, and certain medical conditions can mimic or obscure livstegn. Across species, the repertoire of signs varies, underscoring the need for species-appropriate assessment in veterinary contexts.