Deck 29: Measuring Vital Signs

Question 1

A systolic blood pressure below 90 mm Hg and a diastolic pressure below 60 mm Hg is:

A) Hypertension
B) Hypotension
C) Bradycardia
D) Tachycardia

Answer 1

Hypotension

Question 2

The heart muscle relaxes during:

A) Bradycardia
B) Tachycardia
C) Systole
D) Diastole

Answer 2

Diastole

Question 3

The amount of heat in the body that is a balance between the amount of heat produced and the amount lost by the body is:

A) Fahrenheit
B) Centigrade
C) Celsius
D) Body temperature

Answer 3

Body temperature

Question 4

A resident is 83 years old.You measure the person's vital signs:

A) Several times a day
B) Before and after surgery
C) After giving care
D) According to the person's care plan

Question 5

The number of pulses felt in 1 minute is the:

A) Pulse
B) Pulse deficit
C) Pulse rate
D) Heartbeat

Question 6

The beat of the heart felt at an artery as a wave of blood passes through the artery is the:

A) Pulse
B) Pulse deficit
C) Pulse rate
D) Heartbeat

Question 7

The amount of force exerted against the walls of an artery by the blood is the:

A) Blood pressure
B) Pulse deficit
C) Diastolic pressure
D) Systolic pressure

Question 8

Vital signs are normally taken with the person:

A) Sitting or standing
B) Sitting or lying down
C) Lying down only
D) Sitting only

Question 9

The period of heart muscle contraction is:

A) Bradycardia
B) Tachycardia
C) Systole
D) Diastole

Question 10

A heart rate over 100 beats per minute is:

A) Bradycardia
B) Tachycardia
C) Hypotension
D) Hypertension

Question 11

Which instrument is used to listen to sounds produced by the body?

A) Thermometer
B) Sphygmomanometer
C) Stethoscope
D) Cuff

Question 12

A heart rate less than 60 beats per minute is:

A) Bradycardia
B) Tachycardia
C) Hypotension
D) Hypertension

Question 13

Vital signs do which of the following?

A) Denote when someone is at rest.
B) Signal life-threatening events.
C) Diagnose illness.
D) Prevent cardiac arrest.

Question 14

The pressure in the arteries when the heart is at rest is:

A) Blood pressure
B) Pulse deficit
C) Diastolic pressure
D) Systolic pressure

Question 15

The difference between the apical and radial pulse rates is the:

A) Apical-radial pulse
B) Pulse deficit
C) Bradycardia
D) Tachycardia

Question 16

An apical-radial pulse means that:

A) The apical pulse is taken first.
B) The radial pulse is taken after the apical pulse.
C) The apical and radial pulses are taken at the same time.
D) You can take the apical pulse or the radial pulse.

Question 17

Which of the following is used to measure blood pressure?

A) Thermometer
B) Sphygmomanometer
C) Stethoscope
D) Cuff

Question 18

A systolic blood pressure that is 140 mm Hg or a diastolic pressure that is 90 mm Hg or higher is:

A) Hypertension
B) Hypotension
C) Bradycardia
D) Tachycardia

Question 19

Temperature,pulse,respirations,and blood pressure are:

A) Basic needs
B) Vital signs
C) Measurements
D) Observations

Question 20

The act of inhalation and exhalation is:

A) Respiration
B) Respiratory rate
C) Breathing
D) Basic need

Question 21

The short lines of a centigrade thermometer are marked in:

A) 0.1 of a degree
B) 0.2 of a degree
C) 0.5 of a degree
D) 1.0 of a degree

Question 22

The long lines of a centigrade thermometer are marked in:

A) Even numbers
B) Odd numbers
C) Consecutive numbers
D) Fractions

Question 23

Taking temperatures is delegated to you.The nurse and care plan tell you which of the following?

A) The normal range for the site used
B) What site to use
C) How to use the thermometer
D) Whose temperature to take first

Question 24

The long lines of a Fahrenheit thermometer are marked in:

A) Even numbers
B) Odd numbers
C) Consecutive numbers
D) Fractions

Question 25

The short lines of a Fahrenheit thermometer are marked in:

A) 0.1 of a degree
B) 0.2 of a degree
C) 0.5 of a degree
D) 1.0 of a degree.

Question 26

You are taking a rectal temperature with a glass thermometer.How long do you typically leave the thermometer in place?

A) 1 minute
B) 2 minutes
C) 3 minutes
D) 10 minutes

Question 27

A glass thermometer for rectal temperatures has a:

A) Bulb tip
B) Long tip
C) Pear-shaped tip
D) Slender tip

Question 28

To read a glass thermometer,you need to hold it:

A) At eye level
B) At the tip
C) With tissues
D) With gloved hands

Question 29

A resident is 55 years old.The person needs rehabilitation after hip replacement surgery.You take the person's temperature orally.Which measurement is abnormal?

A) 98.1° F
B) 99.8° F
C) 98.2° F
D) 98.0° F

Question 30

A resident is 55 years old.The person needs rehabilitation after hip replacement surgery.You take the person's tympanic membrane temperature.Which measurement is normal?

A) 98.6° F
B) 99.0° F
C) 98.0° F
D) 97.6° F

Question 31

Body temperature is measured at which of the following sites?

A) The neck
B) The axilla
C) The stomach
D) Behind the knee

Question 32

A mercury glass thermometer breaks.Which action is correct?

A) Follow procedures for handling hazardous substances.
B) Notify the security department.
C) Sweep it up and dispose of it in the trash.
D) Call the doctor.

Question 33

What do you need to do before storing a glass thermometer?

A) Clean it following agency policy.
B) Clean it with hot water.
C) Clean it with soap and water.
D) Soak it in a basin of warm water.

Question 34

You are taking an axillary temperature with a glass thermometer.How long do you leave the thermometer in place?

A) 1 minute
B) 2 minutes
C) 2 to 3 minutes
D) 5 to 10 minutes

Question 35

A rectal thermometer is color-coded in:

A) Blue
B) Red
C) Green
D) Yellow.

Question 36

You are taking a temperature with a temporal artery thermometer.How long does it normally take to obtain a temperature using this device?

A) 3 to 4 seconds
B) 1 minute
C) 2 to 3 minutes
D) 5 to 10 minutes

Question 37

Body temperature is measured at which of the following sites?

A) The nose
B) On the scalp
C) Under the breasts
D) The rectum

Question 38

Body temperature is usually lower:

A) In the morning
B) In the afternoon
C) In the evening
D) At bedtime

Question 39

Vital signs are immediately reported to the nurse at which of the following times?

A) Whenever they are taken
B) If there is a change from a previous measurement
C) Every time you take them
D) Every other time you take them

Question 40

To rinse a glass thermometer,you need to use:

A) Cold water
B) Warm water
C) Hot water
D) A disinfectant solution

Question 41

A person is receiving oxygen.When measuring temperature,you cannot use the:

A) Oral site
B) Rectal site
C) Axillary site
D) Tympanic membrane site

Question 42

Temperature-sensitive tape is usually applied to the:

A) Forehead
B) Axilla
C) Mouth
D) Buttock or thigh

Question 43

A person has heart disease.When measuring temperature,you cannot use the:

A) Oral site
B) Rectal site
C) Axillary site
D) Tympanic membrane site

Question 44

The tympanic membrane thermometer is inserted:

A) Into the mouth
B) Into the rectum
C) Under the arm
D) Into the ear

Question 45

To take a rectal temperature,the person needs to be:

A) Lying down
B) In Sims' position
C) In the right side-lying position
D) In the prone position

Question 46

A person has a convulsive disorder.When measuring temperature,you cannot use the:

A) Oral site
B) Temporal artery site
C) Axillary site
D) Tympanic membrane site

Question 47

A person has dementia and is confused.Which site should you use to measure temperature for a reliable reading?

A) Oral
B) Rectal
C) Axillary
D) Tympanic membrane

Question 48

The apical pulse is found:

A) On the thumb side of the wrist
B) Just below the left nipple
C) Just below the right nipple
D) At the inner aspect of the elbow

Question 49

A person has ear drainage.When measuring temperature,you cannot use the:

A) Oral site
B) Rectal site
C) Axillary site
D) Tympanic membrane site

Question 50

What should you use to clean a stethoscope?

A) Antiseptic wipes
B) Disinfectant solution
C) Cold water
D) Hot water

Question 51

Before inserting a rectal thermometer,you need to:

A) Clean it with hot water
B) Lubricate the end of the covered probe
C) Place it in a probe cover
D) Clean it with a disinfectant

Question 52

Which pulse site requires the use of a stethoscope?

A) The radial site
B) The apical site
C) The carotid site
D) The brachial site

Question 53

Which pulse site is used for children under 2 years old?

A) The radial site
B) The apical site
C) The carotid site
D) The brachial site

Question 54

A person has diarrhea.When measuring temperature,you cannot use the:

A) Oral site
B) Rectal site
C) Temporal artery site
D) Tympanic membrane site

Question 55

A resident smokes.The person just had a cigarette.How long do you need to wait before taking the person's temperature orally?

A) 5 to 10 minutes
B) 10 to 15 minutes
C) 15 to 20 minutes
D) You do not need to wait.

Question 56

Which is the most often used site for taking a pulse?

A) The radial site
B) The apical site
C) The carotid site
D) The brachial site

Question 57

For an accurate measurement,the axillary site needs to be:

A) Wet
B) Dry
C) Lubricated
D) Cleaned

Question 58

A person is unconscious.When measuring temperature,you cannot use the:

A) Oral site
B) Rectal site
C) Axillary site
D) Tympanic membrane site

Question 59

A person is paralyzed on the right side.When measuring temperature,you cannot use the:

A) Oral site
B) Rectal site
C) Temporal artery site
D) Tympanic membrane site

Question 60

To measure a temporal artery temperature,you need to:

A) Insert the device gently into the ear
B) Gently slide the device across the forehead
C) Place the device behind the knee
D) Gently insert the device between the toes

Question 61

You are taking an apical pulse.Which statement is correct?

A) The lub sound is counted as one beat.
B) The dub sound is counted as one beat.
C) The lub-dub is counted as one beat.
D) The pulse deficit is counted.

Question 62

Your agency uses electronic blood pressure equipment.Why do you still need to feel pulses?

A) The equipment may not be accurate.
B) The rate is given but not the rhythm or force.
C) To measure the pulse deficit.
D) To measure systole and diastole.

Question 63

When taking a radial pulse,you need to use:

A) Your thumb
B) Your 2 or 3 fingertips
C) Your ring and little fingertips
D) A stethoscope.

Question 64

You are counting a patient's respirations.Which is correct?

A) You need to tell the person what you are doing.
B) Each rise and fall of the chest is counted as 1 respiration.
C) One side of the person's chest should rise and fall at a time.
D) Respirations are usually counted for 60 seconds.

Question 65

When taking an apical-radial pulse,the pulses are counted for:

A) 15 seconds
B) 30 seconds
C) 45 seconds
D) 60 seconds

Question 66

For an adult,which pulse rate is reported to the nurse at once?

A) 66
B) 74
C) 88
D) 110

Question 67

How many staff members are needed to take an apical-radial pulse?

A) 1
B) 2
C) 3
D) 4

Question 68

The healthy adult has:

A) 10 to 14 respirations per minute
B) 12 to 18 respirations per minute
C) 12 to 20 respirations per minute
D) 15 to 30 respirations per minute

Question 69

Unless agency policy states a different length of time,a radial pulse is usually counted for:

A) 15 seconds.
B) 30 seconds.
C) 45 seconds.
D) 60 seconds.

Question 70

You are taking a resident's pulse.The beats are not spaced evenly.How would you describe the person's pulse when reporting to the nurse?

A) Irregular
B) Weak and feeble
C) Strong and full
D) Thready and bounding

Question 71

Respirations usually are counted:

A) After taking the temperature
B) After taking the pulse
C) Before measuring blood pressure
D) After measuring blood pressure

Question 72

To obtain the pulse deficit,you need to:

A) Add the apical and radial pulse rates
B) Subtract the apical pulse rate from the radial pulse rate
C) Subtract the radial pulse rate from the apical pulse rate
D) Multiply the pulse rates by 2

Question 73

An apical pulse is usually counted for:

A) 15 seconds.
B) 30 seconds.
C) 45 seconds.
D) 60 seconds.

Question 74

For an adult,which pulse rate is reported to the nurse at once?

A) 50
B) 62
C) 75
D) 98

Question 75

When taking an apical pulse,you need to use:

A) Your thumb
B) The middle 3 fingers
C) Your ring and little fingers
D) A stethoscope

Question 76

Which of the following factors tends to increase blood pressure?

A) Severe bleeding
B) Excessive sleeping
C) Low-sodium diet
D) Smoking

Question 77

Before placing the stethoscope on the person,you need to warm the diaphragm:

A) In warm water
B) In hot water
C) In your hand
D) Under the person's arm

Question 78

You measured a resident's blood pressure.His diastolic pressure was 78 mm Hg.His systolic pressure was 144 mm Hg.How do you record these measurements?

A) 78 mm Hg/144 mm Hg
B) 78/144 mm Hg
C) 144 mm Hg/78 mm Hg
D) 144/78 mm Hg

Question 79

These statements are about apical-radial pulses.Which is correct?

A) The rates should be the same.
B) The apical rate should be greater than the radial rate.
C) The radial rate should be greater than the apical rate.
D) The radial rate can be higher than the apical rate.

Question 80

Which systolic pressure should you report at once?

A) 168
B) 110
C) 116
D) 118