Deck 3: Assessment of Vital Signs

Question 1

What is the normal resting pulse range for an adult?

A) 40-80 beats per minute
B) 60-100 beats per minute
C) 80-120 beats per minute
D) 100-140 beats per minute

Answer 1

B
The accepted normal range for the resting pulse is 60 to 100 beats per minute in the adult,100 to 130 beats per minute in the newborn,and 80 to 120 beats per minute in the child 1 to 7 years old.

Question 2

What systolic/diastolic value of blood pressure is recognized as normal for an adult?

A) 180/110
B) 160/100
C) 140/90
D) 120/80

Answer 2

D
The accepted normal blood pressure values in adults are systolic,120 millimeters of mercury (mm Hg)or less; and diastolic,80 mm Hg or less.When the resting systolic pressure is consistently measured at more than 140 mm Hg or the resting diastolic pressure consistently measures more than 90 mm Hg,the person is usually considered to be stage 1 hypertensive.A consistent reading of 180/110 is indicative of stage 3 hypertension.

Question 3

Where should a stethoscope be placed to listen for bronchial breath sounds?

A) In the neck region
B) Between the scapulae
C) Over the periphery of both lung fields
D) Over the manubrium of the sternum

Answer 3

D
Bronchial breath sounds are loud,tubular sounds best heard over the manubrium of the sternum.These sounds are abnormal if heard in the peripheral lung fields (the normal site of the soft and low-pitched vesicular breath sounds).Tracheal breath sounds are best heard in the neck region.Bronchovesicular sounds are best heard between the scapulae.

Question 4

For patients unable to maintain a thermometer in the mouth,which secondary source may be used to obtain a body temperature measurement?

A) The rectum or ear canal
B) The axilla or posterior knee
C) The forehead
D) The palm

Question 5

What is the normal respiration rate for an adult at rest?

A) 4-10 respirations per minute
B) 7-13 respirations per minute
C) 12-18 respirations per minute
D) 15-25 respirations per minute

Question 6

Which of the following is an adventitious or abnormal breath sound that is heard most often in patients with COPD,asthma,chronic bronchitis,CHF,or pulmonary edema?

A) Pleural rubs
B) Wheezing
C) Tracheal breath sound
D) Bronchial breath sound

Question 7

Where may the pulse of the brachial artery be located with the greatest ease?

A) At the wrist on the volar forearm, medial to the stylus process of the radius
B) Inferior to the angle of the mandible, anterior to the sternocleidomastoid muscle
C) Medial to the biceps in the antecubital fossa
D) On the lateral aspect of the proximal shaft of the humerus

Question 8

Which of the following patients would be expected to have the lowest pulse?

A) An athletic resting male 65 years of age
B) An exercising female 21 years of age
C) An anxious, resting female 21 years of age
D) A resting female 65 years of age, battling an infection

Question 9

Which of the following indicates a rapid heart rate (greater than 100 beats per minute)?

A) Bradycardia
B) Thready
C) Strong and regular
D) Tachycardia

Question 10

Which of the following should be included in an initial assessment of pain?

A) The onset and pattern of the pain
B) The exact location of the pain
C) A description of the pain in words such as "burning" or "tingling"
D) All of the above

Question 11

Which of the following describes the period when the greatest amount of pressure is exerted on the walls of the arteries during one's heartbeat?

A) Systole
B) Diastole
C) Syncope
D) Hypertension

Question 12

What is the most generally accepted average value for normal body temperature?

A) 98.6 °F
B) 96.4 °F
C) 94.2 °F
D) 92.0 °F

Question 13

How should the arm be positioned when blood pressure is measured at the brachial artery?

A) Above the level of the heart
B) At the level of the heart
C) Below the level of the heart
D) Near the patient's chest

Question 14

Which of the following heart rate measurement options will provide the smallest margin of error?

A) Measuring the rate for 6 seconds and multiplying that value by 10
B) Measuring the rate for 10 seconds and multiplying that value by 6
C) Measuring the rate for 15 seconds and multiplying that value by 4
D) Measuring the rate for 30 seconds and multiplying that value by 2

Question 15

What is the appropriate method for assessing a patient's pulse at the brachial artery?

A) Use your thumb and apply significant pressure on the artery.
B) Use two or three fingertips to apply gentle pressure on the artery, avoiding use of the thumb.
C) Use one finger with significant pressure applied on the artery.
D) Use the pad of the thumb, placed gently over the artery.

Question 16

What is a normal blood oxygen saturation reading at or near sea level?

A) 80-85 percent
B) 85-90 percent
C) 90-95 percent
D) 95-100 percent

Question 17

Which description of pain is most indicative of muscle pain?

A) Cramping, dull, aching
B) Sharp, bright, lightning-like
C) Deep, nagging, dull
D) Throbbing, diffuse

Question 18

What device measures the level of blood oxygen saturation,monitors pulse rate,and calculates heart rate?

A) Pulse oximeter
B) Sphygmomanometer
C) Stethoscope
D) Respirator

Question 19

What term is used to describe labored or difficult breathing?

A) Apnea
B) Anoxia
C) Dyspnea
D) Orthopnea

Question 20

When would a temperature measurement taken from the ear canal be least accurate?

A) After a meal
B) Immediately after the individual has been lying on the ear
C) 2 to 3 minutes after the ear canal has been exposed to the air
D) 10 minutes after the ear canal has been exposed to the air