Which vital sign indicates the rate of blood pumping through the heart?

The pulse is the vital sign that indicates the rate at which blood is being pumped through the heart. It reflects the number of heartbeats per minute, with each pulse representing a wave of blood that is pushed out of the heart into the arteries. This measurement provides essential information about the heart's activity, its efficiency, and overall cardiovascular health.

In contrast, temperature is a measure of the body’s heat levels and does not convey information about heart function. Respiration indicates the rate of breathing and reflects respiratory health rather than cardiovascular activity. Blood pressure, while related to the force of blood circulating through the arteries, does not directly measure the rate of heartbeats. Therefore, the pulse is the only vital sign listed that specifically indicates the frequency of blood being pumped by the heart.