Question 1

Which of the following breathing patterns describes Kussmaul breathing?

Accepted Answer

A) Normal 
B) Shallow 
C) Fast and shallow 
D) Fast and deep 
A) Normal 
B) Shallow 
C) Fast and shallow 
D) Fast and deep D

Question 2

The normal range for oral body temperature in most people is _____ to _____° F.

Accepted Answer

A) 97; 99.5 
B) 96.7; 98.5 
C) 98.7; 100.5 
D) 97.7; 98.5 
A) 97; 99.5 
B) 96.7; 98.5 
C) 98.7; 100.5 
D) 97.7; 98.5 A

Question 3

A well-written description of an RT's initial observations is beneficial to other healthcare providers because it:

Accepted Answer

A) shows that the RT has established rapport with the patient. 
B) helps them know how to plan care and relate to the patient's needs. 
C) decreases the length of hospitalization of the patient and keeps costs down. 
D) allows them to read the information quickly without confusion and misunderstandings. 
A) shows that the RT has established rapport with the patient. 
B) helps them know how to plan care and relate to the patient's needs. 
C) decreases the length of hospitalization of the patient and keeps costs down. 
D) allows them to read the information quickly without confusion and misunderstandings. B

Question 4

What is the most common cause of fever above 102° F?

Accepted Answer

A) Aspiration pneumonitis 
B) Infection 
C) Blood transfusion reaction 
D) Head injury 
A) Aspiration pneumonitis 
B) Infection 
C) Blood transfusion reaction 
D) Head injury

Question 5

When vital signs are compared with other signs and symptoms to arrive at a conclusion about what is wrong with a patient, this is known as the:

Accepted Answer

A) review of systems. 
B) differential diagnosis. 
C) general clinical presentation. 
D) objective assessment information. 
A) review of systems. 
B) differential diagnosis. 
C) general clinical presentation. 
D) objective assessment information.

Question 6

An RT has just finished administering an aerosol treatment by a small-volume nebulizer to a patient who has a serious case of pneumonia.For the past 24 hours, the patient has had a fever of 39 to 40ᵒ C.Just as the therapist is finishing, a nursing aide comes in to record the vital signs.She uses an electronic thermometer to record an oral temperature of 36.5ᵒ C and comments to the patient, "Well, Mr.Jones, you must be getting better because your fever is completely gone." The therapist should:

Accepted Answer

A) also verbally encourage the patient by saying that he is getting better. 
B) totally ignore the situation and continue with the posttreatment assessment. 
C) complete the treatment and assessment, record the results in the patient's chart, then go on to the next patient. 
D) go to the nursing aide after she leaves the room and tell her that the temperature she recorded is probably not accurate and should be repeated. 
A) also verbally encourage the patient by saying that he is getting better. 
B) totally ignore the situation and continue with the posttreatment assessment. 
C) complete the treatment and assessment, record the results in the patient's chart, then go on to the next patient. 
D) go to the nursing aide after she leaves the room and tell her that the temperature she recorded is probably not accurate and should be repeated.

Question 7

An RT attempts to take the blood pressure of the patient in question 42.The RT notes that the pulse intensity determined from palpation of the radial artery decreases during inspiration.The most likely explanation for this would be:

Accepted Answer

A) an (MI). 
B) an acute asthma exacerbation. 
C) dehydration. 
D) a cerebrovascular accident (CVA; stroke). 
A) an (MI). 
B) an acute asthma exacerbation. 
C) dehydration. 
D) a cerebrovascular accident (CVA; stroke).

Question 8

What site is used to measure body temperature in comatose patients?

Accepted Answer

A) Oral 
B) Axillary 
C) Rectal 
D) Ear 
A) Oral 
B) Axillary 
C) Rectal 
D) Ear

Question 9

What is an important reason to monitor the heart rate in patients with lung disease?

Accepted Answer

A) A heart rate above or below the normal range is dangerous. 
B) As the heart rate increases, the tissue's demand for oxygen decreases. 
C) The more efficiently the heart is pumping, the lower is the resting pulse rate. 
D) Tachycardia is a common finding when hypoxemia is present. 
A) A heart rate above or below the normal range is dangerous. 
B) As the heart rate increases, the tissue's demand for oxygen decreases. 
C) The more efficiently the heart is pumping, the lower is the resting pulse rate. 
D) Tachycardia is a common finding when hypoxemia is present.

Question 10

The diastolic blood pressure is a reflection of:

Accepted Answer

A) the pressure exerted during left ventricular relaxation. 
B) the peak pressure exerted during left ventricular contraction. 
C) the difference between systolic and diastolic pressures. 
D) the force exerted against the walls of the arteries as blood flows through them. 
A) the pressure exerted during left ventricular relaxation. 
B) the peak pressure exerted during left ventricular contraction. 
C) the difference between systolic and diastolic pressures. 
D) the force exerted against the walls of the arteries as blood flows through them.

Question 11

Which of the following statements regarding vital signs is most accurate?

Accepted Answer

A) Vital signs are used only to establish a baseline. 
B) Vital signs monitor only the response to therapy. 
C) Trends in vital signs are far more important than a single measurement. 
D) Vital signs at baseline should never be compared with those that were obtained 24 hours earlier. 
A) Vital signs are used only to establish a baseline. 
B) Vital signs monitor only the response to therapy. 
C) Trends in vital signs are far more important than a single measurement. 
D) Vital signs at baseline should never be compared with those that were obtained 24 hours earlier.

Question 12

Which of the following characteristics should be included in the assessment of a patient's pulse?

Accepted Answer

A) Age, rate, and strength 
B) Rate, rhythm, and strength 
C) Age, rhythm, and status 
D) Strength, amplitude, and volume 
A) Age, rate, and strength 
B) Rate, rhythm, and strength 
C) Age, rhythm, and status 
D) Strength, amplitude, and volume

Question 13

Assessing the patient's level of consciousness is important because it:

Accepted Answer

A) suggests the types of questions that the therapist should ask. 
B) evaluates the adequacy of cerebral perfusion and oxygenation. 
C) indicates whether the patient will take an active role in his or her treatment. 
D) documents the patient's mental status at the time of the physical examination. 
A) suggests the types of questions that the therapist should ask. 
B) evaluates the adequacy of cerebral perfusion and oxygenation. 
C) indicates whether the patient will take an active role in his or her treatment. 
D) documents the patient's mental status at the time of the physical examination.

Question 14

A pulse rate above the normal range is the definition of which of the following terms?

Accepted Answer

A) Tachypnea 
B) Arrhythmia 
C) Bradycardia 
D) Tachycardia 
A) Tachypnea 
B) Arrhythmia 
C) Bradycardia 
D) Tachycardia

Question 15

A 42-year-old male patient with a history of poorly controlled asthma is seen in the emergency department by the respiratory therapist (RT).The patient is seated in a chair and clearly is in extreme respiratory distress, with inspiratory and expiratory wheezing throughout.He reports that he has had a fever for the past 2 days and has eaten and drunk very little.He also reports some chest pain, and his blood pressure is 95/55 mm Hg.At one point, the patient stands to move from the chair to the stretcher and has an episode of syncope.The differential diagnosis for this patient should include all of the following except:

Accepted Answer

A) Myocardial infarction (MI). 
B) Acute asthma exacerbation. 
C) Dehydration. 
D) Cerebrovascular accident (CVA; stroke). 
A) Myocardial infarction (MI). 
B) Acute asthma exacerbation. 
C) Dehydration. 
D) Cerebrovascular accident (CVA; stroke).

Question 16

For every elevation in body temperature of 1° C, oxygen consumption and carbon dioxide production increase by approximately ____%.

Accepted Answer

A) 2 
B) 5 
C) 10 
D) 20 
A) 2 
B) 5 
C) 10 
D) 20

Question 17

Fever is defined as an:

Accepted Answer

A) infection in the body. 
B) elevation of body temperature above normal. 
C) increase in the oxygen requirements of the body. 
D) elevation of body temperature above normal because of disease. 
A) infection in the body. 
B) elevation of body temperature above normal. 
C) increase in the oxygen requirements of the body. 
D) elevation of body temperature above normal because of disease.

Question 18

Which of the following conditions causes hypothermia?

Accepted Answer

A) Damage to the hypothalamus 
B) Excessive shivering and vasoconstriction 
C) Exposure to high environmental temperatures 
D) Invasion of the body by microorganisms that produce an infection 
A) Damage to the hypothalamus 
B) Excessive shivering and vasoconstriction 
C) Exposure to high environmental temperatures 
D) Invasion of the body by microorganisms that produce an infection

Question 19

An RT is taking the blood pressure in the arm of a 12-year-old girl.The only sphygmomanometer available has a cuff in which the ends overlap slightly when it is inflated.The pressure that the RT records:

Accepted Answer

A) should be accurate if the measurement is otherwise done properly. 
B) is likely to be in error, showing a value that is too low. 
C) is likely to be in error, showing a value that is too high. 
D) will have a value that cannot be predicted to be either too high or too low. 
A) should be accurate if the measurement is otherwise done properly. 
B) is likely to be in error, showing a value that is too low. 
C) is likely to be in error, showing a value that is too high. 
D) will have a value that cannot be predicted to be either too high or too low.

Question 20

What is the most probable cause for the significant decrease in blood pressure that occurs during inhalation in some patients?

Accepted Answer

A) Hypovolemia 
B) Variable systemic vascular resistance 
C) Early left ventricular failure caused by coronary artery insufficiency 
D) Negative intrathoracic pressure that diminishes blood flow out of the left ventricle 
A) Hypovolemia 
B) Variable systemic vascular resistance 
C) Early left ventricular failure caused by coronary artery insufficiency 
D) Negative intrathoracic pressure that diminishes blood flow out of the left ventricle

Which of the following breathing patterns describes Kussmaul breathing?

The normal range for oral body temperature in most people is _ to _° F.

A well-written description of an RT's initial observations is beneficial to other healthcare providers because it:

What is the most common cause of fever above 102° F?

When vital signs are compared with other signs and symptoms to arrive at a conclusion about what is wrong with a patient, this is known as the:

An RT attempts to take the blood pressure of the patient in question 42.The RT notes that the pulse intensity determined from palpation of the radial artery decreases during inspiration.The most likely explanation for this would be:

What site is used to measure body temperature in comatose patients?

What is an important reason to monitor the heart rate in patients with lung disease?

The diastolic blood pressure is a reflection of:

Which of the following statements regarding vital signs is most accurate?

Which of the following characteristics should be included in the assessment of a patient's pulse?

Assessing the patient's level of consciousness is important because it:

A pulse rate above the normal range is the definition of which of the following terms?

For every elevation in body temperature of 1° C, oxygen consumption and carbon dioxide production increase by approximately ____%.

Fever is defined as an:

Which of the following conditions causes hypothermia?

An RT is taking the blood pressure in the arm of a 12-year-old girl.The only sphygmomanometer available has a cuff in which the ends overlap slightly when it is inflated.The pressure that the RT records:

What is the most probable cause for the significant decrease in blood pressure that occurs during inhalation in some patients?

Preparing for the Patient Encounter

The Medical History and the Interview

Cardiopulmonary Symptoms

Fundamentals of Physical Examination

Neurologic Assessment

Clinical Laboratory Studies

Interpretation of Blood Gases

Pulmonary Function Testing

Chest Imaging

Interpretation of Electrocardiogram Tracings

Neonatal and Pediatric Assessment

Older Patient Assessment

Respiratory Monitoring in Critical Care

Vascular Pressure Monitoring

Cardiac Output Measurement

Bronchoscopy

Nutrition Assessment

Sleep and Breathing Assessment

Home Care Patient Assessment

Documentation

Filters

Exam 4: Vital Signs

Which of the following breathing patterns describes Kussmaul breathing?

The normal range for oral body temperature in most people is _____ to _____° F.

A well-written description of an RT's initial observations is beneficial to other healthcare providers because it:

What is the most common cause of fever above 102° F?

When vital signs are compared with other signs and symptoms to arrive at a conclusion about what is wrong with a patient, this is known as the:

An RT attempts to take the blood pressure of the patient in question 42.The RT notes that the pulse intensity determined from palpation of the radial artery decreases during inspiration.The most likely explanation for this would be:

What site is used to measure body temperature in comatose patients?

What is an important reason to monitor the heart rate in patients with lung disease?

The diastolic blood pressure is a reflection of:

Which of the following statements regarding vital signs is most accurate?

Which of the following characteristics should be included in the assessment of a patient's pulse?

Assessing the patient's level of consciousness is important because it:

A pulse rate above the normal range is the definition of which of the following terms?

For every elevation in body temperature of 1° C, oxygen consumption and carbon dioxide production increase by approximately ____%.

Fever is defined as an:

Which of the following conditions causes hypothermia?

An RT is taking the blood pressure in the arm of a 12-year-old girl.The only sphygmomanometer available has a cuff in which the ends overlap slightly when it is inflated.The pressure that the RT records:

What is the most probable cause for the significant decrease in blood pressure that occurs during inhalation in some patients?

Preparing for the Patient Encounter

The Medical History and the Interview

Cardiopulmonary Symptoms

Fundamentals of Physical Examination

Neurologic Assessment

Clinical Laboratory Studies

Interpretation of Blood Gases

Pulmonary Function Testing

Chest Imaging

Interpretation of Electrocardiogram Tracings

Neonatal and Pediatric Assessment

Older Patient Assessment

Respiratory Monitoring in Critical Care

Vascular Pressure Monitoring

Cardiac Output Measurement

Bronchoscopy

Nutrition Assessment

Sleep and Breathing Assessment

Home Care Patient Assessment

Documentation

Filters

The normal range for oral body temperature in most people is _ to _° F.