Deck 31: Vital Signs

Question 1

According to OSHA guidelines, gloves should be worn each time you take a patient's temperature.

Answer 1

False

Question 2

The rubber bladder in the blood pressure cuff does not have to be completely deflated between readings.

Answer 2

False

Question 3

Rales indicate airway obstruction with thick secretions.

Answer 3

False

Question 4

Healthy newborns have the highest age-related temperature norm.

Question 5

The bell of a stethoscope is typically used to auscultate the BP.

Question 6

Secondary hypertension may be caused by renal disease.

Question 7

The pulse rate of a healthy 84-year-old patient is faster than that of a 42-year-old individual, because the aging heart must beat faster to meet the body's normal homeostatic demands.

Question 8

The pulse rate may vary with the respiratory rate in pediatric patients.

Question 9

The potential for the development of hypertension increases with a patient's age and weight.

Question 10

Smoking a cigarette a few minutes before having the blood pressure measured does not affect a person's BP levels.

Question 11

Atherosclerotic plaques can lead to hypertension.

Question 12

A patient weight of 150 pounds is equivalent to 330 kg.

Question 13

The volume of the pulse refers to the length of time between each beat.

Question 14

Disposable thermometer probe covers do not have to be placed in a biohazardous waste container.

Question 15

Caffeine may temporarily increase a patient's blood pressure.

Question 16

A pulse rate below 60 beats per minute in a well-conditioned athlete is cause for concern.

Question 17

Syncope can occur if a patient has orthostatic hypotension.

Question 18

The range of body temperature experienced by healthy adults throughout the day is a reflection of normal diurnal rhythms.

Question 19

A palpated blood pressure of 60/P indicates that the diastolic reading is 60 mm Hg.

Question 20

Patients with diabetes do not need to be weighed at every visit.

Question 21

An example of homeostasis is the triggering of breathing, which is stimulated by the respiratory center in the medulla oblongata.

Question 22

What would be considered a normal pulse for an average-sized 37-year-old patient in good health?

A)50 to 60 beats per minute
B)60 to 70 beats per minute
C)50 to 70 beats per minute
D)60 to 80 beats per minute

Question 23

When you are taking the pulse, where should you position the artery to be measured in relation to the level of the heart?

A)Above or at the same level
B)Below or at the same level
C)Only at the same level
D)It does not matter as long as the patient is comfortable.

Question 24

The viscosity level of the blood describes the ability of the blood to clot.

Question 25

How can you help patients feel comfortable about having their weight measured in the office?

A)Reassure them that their weight is at a healthy level.
B)Place the scale in a private area of the office.
C)Have them remain in their shoes and outer clothing.
D)Allow them to weigh themselves at home and bring the results.

Question 26

The apical pulse should be measured if an irregular radial pulse beat is palpated.

Question 27

If a patient is diagnosed with secondary hypertension, this means that the:

A)condition has worsened from essential hypertension
B)patient has the most serious form of hypertension
C)patient has the most common form of hypertension
D)hypertension is associated with another disease

Question 28

How long should the pulse be counted for the most accurate results?

A)15 seconds
B)30 seconds
C)45 seconds
D)1 minute

Question 29

Which of the following pulses is palpated on top of the foot?

A)Apical
B)Brachial
C)Pedal
D)Radial
E)Temporal

Question 30

A complete cardiac cycle is a combination of the systolic and diastolic action of the heart.

Question 31

If a bedridden patient has chills and is shivering, what would you expect the body temperature to be?

A)Increased
B)Decreased
C)The same
D)It would depend on the patient's age.

Question 32

Internal respiration is the exchange of oxygen and carbon dioxide in the lungs.

Question 33

Which of the following pulses is palpated on either side of the eyes?

A)Apical
B)Brachial
C)Carotid
D)Radial
E)Temporal

Question 34

Which site for taking an infant's body temperature is considered to give the most accurate results?

A)Axilla
B)Tympanic membrane
C)Sublingual
D)Temporal artery

Question 35

When a blood pressure cuff is deflated, the first tapping sound is the ______ pressure.

A)mean arterial
B)systolic
C)diastolic
D)pulse

Question 36

Which of the following pulses is auscultated with a stethoscope?

A)Apical
B)Brachial
C)Temporal
D)Radial

Question 37

The medical assistant should inform the patient that his or her respirations will be assessed, because this ensures that an accurate reading will be obtained.

Question 38

Which of the following pulses is palpated in the throat?

A)Apical
B)Brachial
C)Carotid
D)Radial
E)Temporal

Question 39

Which of the following pulses is palpated behind the knee?

A)Apical
B)Brachial
C)Carotid
D)Radial
E)None of the above

Question 40

Which of the following pulses is palpated on the wrist?

A)Apical
B)Brachial
C)Carotid
D)Radial
E)Temporal

Question 41

In a healthy adult at rest, the ratio of respirations to pulse beats is typically which of the following?

A)1:3
B)1:5
C)1:4
D)1:8

Question 42

An infant's pulse typically is taken by which method?

A)Auscultating over the apex of the heart
B)Palpating the brachial artery
C)Palpating the carotid artery
D)Auscultating the brachial artery

Question 43

Mrs.Anderson's BP reading is 132/74 mm Hg.Her pulse pressure would be?

A)42
B)58
C)14
D)26

Question 44

If a patient is anxious, the medical assistant would expect the pulse to be:

A)increased
B)decreased
C)the same
D)dependent on age

Question 45

Your patient is having difficulty breathing.The medical term for this is:

A)orthopnea
B)hyperpnea
C)apnea
D)dyspnea

Question 46

Aural temperatures are recommended for adults, when possible, because the:

A)tympanic membrane shares the blood supply of the hypothalamus
B)ear canal is a protected cavity
C)risk of spreading communicable diseases is reduced
D)all of the above

Question 47

Dr.Xu is concerned that an elderly patient may be experiencing orthostatic hypotension.How would you check this patient's BP?

A)Instruct the patient to lie flat on her back while you take the BP.
B)Have the patient sit up on the side of the bed for 5 minutes before recording the BP.
C)With the cuff in place, take the BP with the patient lying down and then immediately after she stands.
D)Take the BP bilaterally 2 minutes apart.

Question 48

The diastolic BP is heard during which Korotkoff phase?

A)I
B)II
C)III
D)IV
E)V

Question 49

The medical term for an oral temperature above 99.5° F is:

A)hyperpnea
B)pyrexia
C)pyuria
D)empyema

Question 50

A newborn is observed in the nursery with periodic episodes of not breathing.This is called:

A)bradypnea
B)apnea
C)hyperpnea
D)rales

Question 51

When a blood pressure cuff is deflated, the last tapping sound is the __________ pressure.

A)mean arterial
B)systolic
C)diastolic
D)pulse

Question 52

If a patient is a marathon runner, the resting pulse would be expected to be:

A)increased
B)decreased
C)the same
D)dependent on age

Question 53

Your adult patient was recently diagnosed with COPD.Which would be the most accurate method of recording his temperature?

A)Oral
B)Tympanic
C)Axillary
D)Disposable

Question 54

Mrs.Anderson's oral temperature is 99° F.Dr.Xu requests that you record it in Celsius.What would that be?

A)32.6° C
B)37.8° C
C)35.8° C
D)37.2° C

Question 55

The systolic BP is measured during which Korotkoff phase?

A)I
B)II
C)III
D)IV
E)V

Question 56

Which of the following pulses is palpated in the antecubital space?

A)Apical
B)Brachial
C)Carotid
D)Radial
E)Temporal

Question 57

How do aural and axillary temperatures compare with oral temperatures?

A)Both are lower
B)Both are higher
C)Axillary higher, aural lower
D)Aural higher, axillary lower

Question 58

The stethoscope typically is placed over which artery when the BP is auscultated?

A)Radial
B)Aorta
C)Brachial
D)Carotid

Question 59

The instrument used to measure the blood pressure is the:

A)stethoscope
B)sphygmomanometer
C)spygmomenometer
D)analog dial

Question 60

Your patient has been diagnosed with uncontrolled hypertension.How would you expect his pulse to feel?

A)Strong
B)Thready
C)Bounding
D)Normal

Question 61

Mr.Garcia weighs 250 pounds.You are expected to record this weight in kilograms.It is equal to________ kg

A)113.6
B)550
C)555.5
D)122.3

Question 62

Mrs.Anderson has experienced periods of vertigo and syncope in association with recently diagnosed orthostatic hypotension.What does this mean?

A)She is nauseated and vomits frequently.
B)She has difficulty sleeping, and she snores.
C)She has occasional dizziness and fainting.
D)She has hyperventilation and dyspnea.

Question 63

The instrument that measures the volume of inspired and expired air is called a(n):

A)audiometer
B)spirometer
C)breathing machine
D)CPAP

Question 64

An aural thermometer should not be used if the patient has:

A)chest pain
B)bilateral impacted cerumen
C)tachycardia
D)pierced ears

Question 65

The internal functions of the body are constantly adapting and changing to keep the body in balance.Maintenance of this complex process is called:

A)diurnal rhythms
B)homeostasis
C)bounding back
D)intermittent relief

Question 66

The temperature of a 3-year-old child with bilateral otitis externa is best taken with which thermometer?

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

Question 67

Mr.Long's BP is 124/84 mm Hg.This puts Mr.Long into which category?

A)Normal BP
B)Prehypertension
C)Hypertension

Question 68

One of the contraindications to the use of the tympanic thermometer is:

A)middle ear infection
B)otitis externa
C)difficulty hearing
D)smoking

Question 69

An indication of a lack of cellular oxygen is:

A)cyanosis
B)hypotension
C)tachypnea
D)peripheral collapse

Question 70

While taking vital signs on Mrs.Anderson, you note a difference between her radial and apical pulses.This problem is known as the:

A)pulse pressure
B)arrhythmia
C)intermittent pulse
D)pulse deficit

Question 71

Stertorous breathing often is described as sounding similar to:

A)snoring
B)wheezing
C)gasping
D)rales

Question 72

A safe and accurate method of recording the temperature of a 6-month-old infant is with which thermometer?

A)Rectal
B)Temporal artery
C)Axillary
D)Tympanic

Question 73

Sammy Feaver, age 6, weighs 21.4 kg.His mother asks you how much that is in pounds.You respond:

A)12.4
B)51
C)47.1
D)9.7

Question 74

Your office uses thermometers that record temperatures in Celsius, but the mother of a young child doesn't understand what 38.6° Celsius means.Convert the temperature into Fahrenheit for her.

A)99° F
B)103.2° F
C)101.5° F
D)100.8° F

Question 75

Sammy's mother calls to make an appointment for her son.She reports that he has had an elevated temperature for 24 hours, ranging from 99° to 102.8° F.Mrs.Feaver is describing which type of fever?

A)Constant
B)Remittent
C)Intermittent
D)Continuous

Question 76

Which of the following symptoms may indicate that the patient has hypertension?

A)Epistaxis
B)Headache
C)Vertigo
D)Angina
E)All of the above

Question 77

Which blood pressure reading would be seen in an adult with hypotension?

A)Systolic BP below 110 mm Hg
B)Diastolic BP above 60 mm Hg
C)Systolic BP below 90 mm Hg
D)Diastolic BP below 60 mm Hg

Question 78

A common pediatric pulse arrhythmia that varies with breathing is called:

A)intermittent pulse
B)apnea
C)sinus arrhythmia
D)thready

Question 79

You are asking a patient about his reason for visiting the doctor.He says that he has had a fever for 2 days that comes and goes; sometimes his temperature is normal, but other times it is elevated.This is what type of fever?

A)Remittent
B)Pyrexic
C)Frequent
D)Intermittent

Question 80

Which of the following medications would be administered as an antipyretic?

A)Pepto Bismol
B)Aleve
C)Tylenol
D)Benadryl