Vital Signs Measurement: A Comprehensive Guide for Nursing Students

Question 1

Which of the following vital signs measures the number of breaths per minute?

Accepted Answer

Respiration

Answer

Temperature

Answer

Pulse

Answer

Blood pressure

Question 2

Which factor does NOT influence the pulse rate?

Accepted Answer

Height

Answer

Activity level

Answer

Emotions

Answer

Age

Question 3

Which technique is considered the gold standard for blood pressure measurement?

Accepted Answer

Auscultation

Answer

Palpation

Answer

Doppler ultrasonography

Answer

Digital monitor

Question 4

What is the primary function of a tuning fork in blood pressure measurement?

Accepted Answer

To amplify the Korotkoff sounds

Answer

To locate the brachial artery

Answer

To test the patient's hearing

Answer

To prevent the stethoscope from touching the skin

Question 5

Which of the following could indicate respiratory distress?

Accepted Answer

Rapid and shallow breathing

Answer

Prolonged capillary refill time

Answer

Slow heart rate

Answer

Normal body temperature

Question 6

What is the average normal respiratory rate for adults at rest?

Accepted Answer

12-16 breaths per minute

Answer

10-12 breaths per minute

Answer

16-20 breaths per minute

Answer

20-24 breaths per minute

Question 7

Which of the following is NOT a clinical thermometer?

Accepted Answer

Pulse oximeter

Answer

Digital thermometer

Answer

Tympanic thermometer

Answer

Rectal thermometer

Question 8

What is the average resting pulse rate for an adult?

Accepted Answer

60-90 bpm

Answer

50-70 beats per minute (bpm)

Answer

70-110 bpm

Answer

80-120 bpm

Question 9

For an adult, what is the appropriate cuff size for measuring blood pressure?

Accepted Answer

It depends on the patient's arm circumference

Answer

Small (8-10 inches)

Answer

Medium (12-14 inches)

Answer

Large (16-18 inches)

Question 10

Which of the following is NOT a potential error when measuring a patient's temperature?

Accepted Answer

Patient's recent ingestion of hot or cold liquids

Answer

Using an uncalibrated thermometer

Answer

Not leaving the thermometer in place for the recommended amount of time

Answer

Not cleaning the thermometer properly

Question 11

To prioritize patient autonomy during vital signs measurement, which action is crucial?

Accepted Answer

Acquiring the patient's informed consent prior to taking measurements

Answer

Utilizing the most precise equipment, regardless of patient comfort

Answer

Measuring vital signs only when strictly necessary

Answer

Sharing vital signs measurements with family members without patient consent

Question 12

Which of the following is the normal range for adult body temperature in Fahrenheit?

Accepted Answer

97.6 - 100.4 °F

Answer

95.5 - 99.5 °F

Answer

93.2 - 96.8 °F

Answer

101.3 - 105.8 °F

Question 13

Where is the radial pulse typically measured?

Accepted Answer

Inside of the wrist

Answer

Dorsum of the hand

Answer

Brachial artery

Answer

Carotid artery

Question 14

Which of the following does NOT influence respiration rate?

Accepted Answer

Blood pressure

Answer

Age

Answer

Exercise

Answer

Body temperature

Question 15

Which device is used to measure blood pressure?

Accepted Answer

Sphygmomanometer

Answer

Thermometer

Answer

Stethoscope

Answer

Pulse oximeter

Question 16

Which blood pressure reading indicates hypertension?

Accepted Answer

140/90 mmHg

Answer

130/80 mmHg

Answer

120/80 mmHg

Answer

110/70 mmHg

Question 17

What is the first step in measuring a patient's temperature with a tympanic thermometer?

Accepted Answer

Gently pull the auricle down and back

Answer

Insert the probe into the ear canal

Answer

Wipe the probe with alcohol

Answer

Turn on the thermometer

Question 18

Which respiratory rate is considered abnormal for an adult?

Accepted Answer

30 breaths per minute

Answer

12 breaths per minute

Answer

24 breaths per minute

Answer

16 breaths per minute

Question 19

What is the purpose of listening for Korotkoff sounds when measuring blood pressure?

Accepted Answer

Determine systolic and diastolic pressure

Answer

Detect heart murmurs

Answer

Estimate cardiac output

Answer

Assess vascular resistance

Question 20

Which of the following lists the correct normal pulse rate ranges for different age groups?

Accepted Answer

Neonates: 120-160 bpm, Children: 80-120 bpm, Adults: 60-100 bpm, Elderly: 50-90 bpm

Answer

Neonates: 60-80 bpm, Children: 70-110 bpm, Adults: 50-70 bpm, Elderly: 50-60 bpm

Answer

Neonates: 80-100 bpm, Children: 60-80 bpm, Adults: 40-60 bpm, Elderly: 40-50 bpm

Answer

Neonates: 100-140 bpm, Children: 70-100 bpm, Adults: 50-80 bpm, Elderly: 40-70 bpm

Question 21

What is the typical range for adult respiratory rate?

Accepted Answer

12-20 breaths per minute

Answer

10-14 breaths per minute

Answer

16-24 breaths per minute

Answer

20-30 breaths per minute

Question 22

What is the primary purpose of listening to the Korotkoff sounds when measuring blood pressure?

Accepted Answer

To determine the diastolic blood pressure

Answer

To determine the systolic blood pressure

Answer

To ensure the cuff is appropriately inflated

Answer

To detect arrhythmias

Question 23

Which position is recommended for measuring pulse and respiration?

Accepted Answer

Sitting upright with feet flat on the floor

Answer

Lying down in bed

Answer

Standing with arms at their sides

Answer

Walking around

Question 24

What is the key difference between a fever and hyperthermia?

Accepted Answer

Fever is caused by an external source, while hyperthermia is caused by an internal source

Answer

Hyperthermia is more severe than a fever

Answer

Fever is characterized by sweating, while hyperthermia is not

Answer

There is no difference between a fever and hyperthermia

Question 25

To measure temperature in the ear, which technique should be used?

Accepted Answer

Tympanic thermometry

Answer

Temporal artery thermometry

Answer

Axillary thermometry

Answer

Oral thermometry

Question 26

In adults at rest, what is the normal range for respiratory rate?

Accepted Answer

12-20 breaths/minute

Answer

10-12 breaths/minute

Answer

20-30 breaths/minute

Answer

30-40 breaths/minute

Question 27

When auscultating for Korotkoff sounds during blood pressure measurement, where should the stethoscope bell be placed?

Accepted Answer

Over the brachial artery

Answer

Over the radial artery

Answer

Over the carotid artery

Answer

Over the femoral artery

Question 28

What is the appropriate temperature range for the storage of oral thermometers?

Accepted Answer

Room temperature (20-25°C)

Answer

Refrigerator (4-8°C)

Answer

Freezer (-20°C)

Answer

Sterilization chamber (121°C)

Question 29

Which type of respiration is characterized by shallow, rapid breaths?

Accepted Answer

Tachypnea

Answer

Bradypnea

Answer

Hyperpnea

Answer

Apnea

Question 30

What does a widened pulse pressure signify?

Accepted Answer

Aortic regurgitation

Answer

Low systemic vascular resistance

Answer

Impaired left ventricular function

Answer

Hypertension

Question 31

To determine respiratory rate, which technique(s) should be used?

Accepted Answer

Both observation and auscultation

Answer

Auscultation

Answer

Observation

Answer

Palpation

Question 32

For an obese patient, which blood pressure cuff size is most appropriate?

Accepted Answer

Thigh

Answer

Small adult

Answer

Large adult

Answer

Infant

Question 33

A 65-year-old female patient presents with a blood pressure of 140/90 mmHg. Which of the following is most likely contributing to her hypertension?

Accepted Answer

Vasoconstriction

Answer

Increased cardiac output

Answer

Hypovolemia

Answer

Increased vascular compliance

Question 34

What is the typical range for respiratory rate in an adult at rest?

Accepted Answer

12-20 breaths per minute

Answer

6-8 breaths per minute

Answer

16-24 breaths per minute

Answer

25-30 breaths per minute

Question 35

When measuring temperature with an oral thermometer, it should be placed:

Accepted Answer

Under the tongue

Answer

In the axilla

Answer

In the rectum

Answer

On the forehead

Question 36

What is the primary use of a sphygmomanometer?

Accepted Answer

Measuring blood pressure

Answer

Measuring body temperature

Answer

Measuring respiratory rate

Answer

Measuring heart rate

Question 37

How should you position your hand to measure a patient's respiratory rate?

Accepted Answer

On the chest, counting chest rise and fall

Answer

On the abdomen, counting abdominal rise and fall

Answer

On the wrist, counting radial pulse

Answer

On the back, counting spinal movements

Question 38

What is considered the normal range for an adult's body temperature?

Accepted Answer

97.6°F - 99.6°F (36.4°C - 37.6°C)

Answer

100°F - 102°F (37.8°C - 38.9°C)

Answer

103°F - 105°F (39.4°C - 40.6°C)

Answer

95°F - 97°F (35°C - 36.1°C)

Question 39

What is orthostatic hypotension?

Accepted Answer

A sudden drop in blood pressure when standing from a sitting or lying position due to pooling of blood in the lower extremities.

Answer

A gradual increase in blood pressure when lying down from a standing position due to vasoconstriction.

Answer

A condition characterized by persistently high blood pressure in both arms.

Question 40

Which of the following factors can influence pulse rate?

Accepted Answer

Age, exercise, medications, stress, and fever

Answer

Age

Answer

Exercise

Answer

Medications

Question 41

What is the primary purpose of a respiratory rate assessment?

Accepted Answer

To evaluate the adequacy of ventilation.

Answer

To measure the depth of inspiration.

Answer

To predict the need for intubation.

Answer

To diagnose respiratory disorders.

Question 42

For a conscious adult patient, which artery is most suitable for measuring their pulse?

Accepted Answer

Radial artery

Answer

Brachial artery

Answer

Carotid artery

Answer

Femoral artery

Question 43

A nursing student measures a patient's blood pressure at 148/92 mmHg. What is the appropriate action for the student to take?

Accepted Answer

Report the reading to the registered nurse.

Answer

Tell the patient they have hypertension.

Answer

Record the reading as normal.

Answer

Check the blood pressure in the other arm.

Question 44

A nurse notices a patient's pulse is irregular. What's the best action to take?

Accepted Answer

Assess the pulse for a full minute and note the rhythm.

Answer

Document the pulse as irregular and continue with the assessment.

Answer

Reassess the pulse using a different artery.

Question 45

Which of the following is considered a normal respiratory rate for an adult patient?

Accepted Answer

16 breaths per minute

Answer

24 breaths per minute

Answer

30 breaths per minute

Answer

10 breaths per minute

Question 46

A patient is experiencing shortness of breath (dyspnea). Which vital sign should the nurse monitor most closely?

Accepted Answer

Oxygen saturation

Answer

Temperature

Answer

Blood pressure

Question 47

What respiratory rate range is considered abnormal for an adult?

Accepted Answer

Less than 12 or more than 20 breaths per minute

Answer

10-16 breaths per minute

Answer

18-24 breaths per minute

Answer

15-25 breaths per minute

Question 48

Which cuff size is recommended for an obese patient when measuring blood pressure?

Accepted Answer

Large adult cuff (12-15 cm wide)

Answer

Regular adult cuff (10-13 cm wide)

Answer

Small adult cuff (8-11 cm wide)

Question 49

Which of the following factors can influence blood pressure measurements?

Accepted Answer

Activity level, smoking, and caffeine intake, as well as the patient's age, gender, medications, body position, and time of day

Answer

Medication use only

Answer

Body position and time of day only

Answer

Age and gender only

Question 50

What is the recommended action if a patient's blood pressure is significantly elevated?

Accepted Answer

Retake the measurement and notify the healthcare provider immediately

Answer

Monitor the patient's vital signs hourly

Answer

Repeat the measurement every 30 minutes

Question 51

Which of the following is NOT a sign of dehydration?

Accepted Answer

Increased urine output

Answer

Dry skin and mucous membranes

Answer

Rapid heart rate

Answer

Sunken eyes

Question 52

What could a low pulse pressure measurement possibly indicate?

Accepted Answer

Hypovolemia or cardiac dysfunction

Answer

Normal finding

Answer

Hypertension

Answer

Bradycardia

Question 53

What is the purpose of palpating the radial artery before auscultating blood pressure?

Accepted Answer

To locate the brachial artery and ensure proper cuff placement

Answer

To assess capillary refill time

Answer

To measure the heart rate