Question 1

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

Accepted Answer

Homeostasis is the process by which the body maintains a stable internal environment despite changes in external conditions. This involves the coordination and regulation of multiple bodily functions such as temperature, blood sugar levels, and pH balance. Diurnal rhythms refer to the natural cycles of the body, such as the sleep-wake cycle, while bounding back and intermittent relief are not relevant terms in this context.

Question 2

Which of the following is a common rhythm irregularity in children and young adults?

Accepted Answer

Sinus arrhythmia is a common rhythm irregularity in children and young adults. It is a variation in the heart rate that occurs during the breathing cycle, where the heart rate increases during inhalation and decreases during exhalation. Arrhythmia and intermittent pulse are not specific to this age group, and normal rhythm is not an irregularity.

Question 3

When measuring a pulse, which of the following is NOT one of the three important characteristics?

Accepted Answer

The three important characteristics of a pulse are rate (the number of beats per minute), rhythm (the regularity of the beats), and volume (the strength or intensity of the beats). Tone is not a characteristic measured when taking someone's pulse.

Question 4

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

Accepted Answer

The temporal artery thermometer is recommended for infants and is safer than rectal methods.

Question 5

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

Accepted Answer

Complications of hypertension may include nosebleeds, headache, dizziness, and chest pain.

Question 6

Which of the following sites are typically used to obtain a pulse, heard with a stethoscope on young children and infants?

Accepted Answer

The apical heart rate, or the heartbeat at the apex of the heart, is heard with a stethoscope. It is used for infants and young children because the radial pulse is difficult to palpate in young patients.

Question 7

When documenting a temperature reading on the patient chart, what abbreviation should be used to indicate the site of an oral reading?

Accepted Answer

When obtaining an oral temperature, you do not have to indicate the site when documenting the reading in the patient's health record. However, if you use an alternative site, you should write (or put in the correct window in the EHR) the following identifiers after recording the temperature: (T) for tympanic, (A) for axillary, or (TA) for temporal artery.

Question 8

Which of the following assessments is NOT referred to as a cardinal sign?

Accepted Answer

Height, weight, and BMI are not considered cardinal signs. Cardinal signs refer to the primary vital signs used to assess a patient's overall health and include temperature, pulse and respiration, and blood pressure. Height, weight, and BMI are important measures of body composition, but they do not provide immediate information on a patient's current physiological status.

Question 9

Diurnal rhythm typically varies from

Accepted Answer

Diurnal rhythm, also known as circadian rhythm, refers to the natural variations in body temperature over a 24-hour period. The normal range for diurnal rhythm varies from 96.7° to 99° Fahrenheit. Option B is the only one that falls within this range. Options A, C, and D are either too low or too high.

Question 10

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

Accepted Answer

To convert Celsius to Fahrenheit, multiply the temperature by 1.8 and add 32. So, 38.6 Celsius is 101.48 Fahrenheit, which rounds to 101.5 Fahrenheit (C).

Question 11

Which of the following instances contraindicate the use of a tympanic measurement system?

Accepted Answer

- A patient complaining of pain in both ears will likely be uncomfortable with any instrument being inserted into their ear canal.
- A history of impacted cerumen may affect the accuracy of the measurement, as the wax may interfere with the infrared readings.
- A stuffy nose does not contraindicate the use of a tympanic measurement system.

Question 12

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

Accepted Answer

The temporal artery reading is most accurate and easiest to use in young children.

Question 13

Which of the following pulse rates are typically found on well-conditioned athletes?

Accepted Answer

Well-conditioned athletes typically have lower resting heart rates due to their cardiovascular fitness. Resting heart rates between 50-60 beats per minute are common in this population.

Question 14

Which of the following best describes a fever that fluctuates considerably (e.g., by more than 3 degrees) and never returns to the normal range?

Accepted Answer

A continuous fever is one that stays consistently elevated with little to no fluctuation, an intermittent fever is one that comes and goes with fluctuations but returns to normal in between, and pyrexia is simply another term for fever. A remittent fever is one that fluctuates considerably (by more than 3 degrees) and never returns to the normal range, making it the best choice for this description.

Question 15

Which of the following systems requires the shortest length of time to obtain an accurate temperature reading?

Accepted Answer

Tympanic thermometer requires the shortest length of time to obtain an accurate temperature reading, usually within a few seconds. Digital thermometer, temporal artery scanner, and axillary thermometer may take longer to obtain an accurate reading.

Question 16

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?

Accepted Answer

An intermittent fever comes and goes, fluctuating between normal and elevated levels.

Question 17

The goal of hypertensive treatment is to keep the blood pressure below 130/80 mm Hg in patients with what disease or diseases?

Accepted Answer

Hypertensive treatment aims to keep blood pressure below 130/80 mm Hg in patients with kidney complications and diabetes mellitus, as these conditions can lead to cardiovascular complications. Liver disease is not necessarily an indication for hypertensive treatment.

Question 18

The process of chemical and physical change in the body that produces heat is called

Accepted Answer

Metabolism refers to the chemical and physical processes that occur in the body, including the breakdown of nutrients to produce energy and the production of waste. This process also produces heat, which helps to regulate body temperature. Homeostasis refers to the maintenance of a stable internal environment, including body temperature, and dyspnea refers to difficulty breathing. Pyrexia refers specifically to an elevated body temperature, rather than the process that produces the heat.

Question 19

A common pediatric pulse arrhythmia that varies with breathing is called

Accepted Answer

Sinus arrhythmia is a normal variation of the heart rate that occurs in children, especially during sleep. The heart rate increases during inspiration and decreases during expiration, leading to an irregular rhythm. This is not considered a pathological arrhythmia and typically does not require treatment.

Question 20

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

Accepted Answer

A BP reading of 124/84 mm Hg falls within the prehypertension category according to the American Heart Association. Normal BP is less than 120/80 mm Hg and hypertension is equal to or greater than 140/90 mm Hg.

Quiz 24: Vital Signs