Deck 4: Vital Signs

Question 1

What information would pulse oximetry monitoring provide if used while initiating exercise with a patient?

A)Normal oxygen saturation levels
B)Parameters for heart rate
C)Type of cardiac dysfunction
D)Patient tolerance to activity

Answer 1

D

Question 2

Where is the apical pulse examined?

A)Over the radial aspect of the wrist
B)Over the lateral aspect of the neck
C)To the left of the sternum in the fifth intercostal space
D)on the posterior aspect of the knee

Answer 2

C

Question 3

What would be an example of a heat production mechanism that occurs with a body temperature below 98.6º Fahrenheit (37ºC)?

A)Piloerection
B)Vasoconstriction
C)Shivering
D)Sweating

Answer 3

C

Question 4

While supervising a patient during aerobic exercise,the physical therapist notes that the patient's heart rate is not increasing as expected.What medication could cause this response?

A)Acetaminophen
B)Beta-blockers
C)Tricyclic antidepressants
D)Coumadin

Question 5

Serial recordings of vital signs

A)are beneficial because they allow the therapist to note a change in physiological status over time.
B)offer encouragement because the patient can view vital signs data often during the intervention.
C)create a sense of urgency in the patient when vital signs are known to be outside the normal range.
D)are not helpful to the clinician because they do not really show the whole picture of the patient's status.

Question 6

The pulse is created when the

A)left ventricle contracts.
B)right ventricle contracts.
C)left atrium contracts.
D)right atrium contracts.

Question 7

What would be a sign of peripheral cyanosis?

A)Changes in skin color behind the knees
B)Changes in skin color of the lips
C)Changes in the mucous membranes
D)Changes in mental status

Question 8

When measuring oral temperature,the proper placement of the thermometer is

A)under the tongue on the right.
B)pressed firmly against the hard palate
C)held tightly between the teeth.
D)in the sublingual pocket.

Question 9

What is the correct term for a pulse that is greater than 100 beats per minute?

A)Normal
B)Bradycardia
C)Tachycardia
D)Bigeminal

Question 10

The major mechanism for dispersion of heat during exercise is

A)evaporation.
B)convection.
C)conduction.
D)radiation.

Question 11

During auscultation of a patient,you hear a whistling sound on both inspiration and expiration.What might this indicate?

A)Airway obstruction as a result of asthma
B)Labored breathing because of stress
C)Presence of excessive secretions in the airway
D)Airway obstruction as a result of a foreign object

Question 12

A factor that influences vital signs measures,is modifiable,and should be the focus of patient-related instruction is

A)hormonal status.
B)response to stress.
C)pain level.
D)family history.

Question 13

For a healthy individual,pulse rates during a 15- to 30-minute exercise program should not exceed

A)220 minus the patient's age.
B)20% to 35% of the patient's heart rate maximum.
C)100% of the patient's heart rate maximum.
D)60% to 90% of the patient's heart rate maximum.

Question 14

Where does the majority of gas exchange occur?

A)Carina
B)Bronchi
C)Alveoli
D)Larynx

Question 15

Visual observation of the patient can provide important information about

A)heart rate.
B)health habits.
C)cultural beliefs.
D)patient distress.

Question 16

The patient is a 30-year-old competitive marathon runner who is being seen following a rotator cuff tear.As part of your initial examination,you monitor the patient's vital signs and note that the heart rate is 52 beats per minute.What should you do?

A)Have the patient lie down and elevate the legs.
B)Call EMS because this patient is about to go into cardiac arrest.
C)Continue with the intervention; athletes often have low heart rates.
D)Continue with the intervention,but monitor the patient very closely.

Question 17

Body temperature

A)is 98.6° Fahrenheit (37ºC)for everyone throughout the day.
B)changes throughout the day in a regular rhythmic pattern.
C)is higher than 98.6° Fahrenheit (37ºC)in infants and the elderly.
D)declines immediately following strenuous exercise.

Question 18

Pyrexia,commonly referred to as fever,is generally believed to

A)occur normally in children younger than 5 years of age.
B)cause a metabolic state in which bacteria thrive.
C)assist the body in fighting disease or infection.
D)be unrelated to any particular physiological function.

Question 19

The three parameters of pulse are

A)rate,rhythm,and quality.
B)rate,rhythm,and quantity.
C)rate,quality,and spacing.
D)rate,rhythm,and spacing.

Question 20

One of the physiological responses to hypothermia is

A)significantly increased metabolic rate.
B)hyperactivity of the thermoregulatory center.
C)increased pulse and respiratory rate.
D)depression of mental and muscular responses.

Question 21

What is a cause of postural hypotension?

A)A sudden drop in blood pressure as the patient moves into an upright posture.
B)A sudden rise in blood pressure as the patient moves into an upright posture.
C)A sudden drop in blood pressure as the patient moves into a recumbent posture.
D)A sudden rise in blood pressure as the patient moves into a recumbent posture.

Question 22

Chemoreceptors are stimulated to regulate blood pressure by

A)changes in arterial oxygen concentration.
B)increased heart rate during exercise.
C)stimulated by stretching of blood vessel walls.
D)changes in blood sodium concentration.

Question 23

During auscultation of the lungs you hear crackling/rales.What might this indicate?

A)Airway obstruction as a result of asthma
B)Labored breathing because of stress
C)Presence of excessive secretions in the airway
D)Airway obstruction as a result of a foreign object

Question 24

What might you observe in a patient with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease when examining respirations?

A)Quiet,effortless breathing
B)Increased depth of respiration
C)Normal rate of breathing
D)Use of accessory muscles

Question 25

Baroreceptors regulate blood pressure by responding to

A)the oxygen concentration in the blood.
B)changes in heart rate during exercise.
C)stretching of the blood vessel walls.
D)alterations in the sodium concentration.

Question 26

What type of measure of blood pressure is achieved by using a sphygmomanometer and stethoscope?

A)It is a direct measure.
B)It is an indirect measure.
C)It is an inaccurate measure.
D)It is an invasive measure.

Question 27

How does the Valsalva maneuver affect blood pressure?

A)It does not affect blood pressure until 10 minutes after the intrathoracic pressure increases.
B)It causes a rapid spike in blood pressure in response to the increased intrathoracic pressure.
C)It causes a rapid decrease in blood pressure in response to the increased intrathoracic pressure.
D)It causes a rapid increase in blood pressure in response to the decreased intrathoracic pressure.

Question 28

How is blood pressure affected during exercise?

A)Blood pressure is decreased proportional to the workload.
B)The rise in systolic pressure is greater than that of diastolic pressure.
C)Blood pressure remains at resting values.
D)There is an increase in diastolic pressure proportional to the workload.

Question 29

What occurs during the fifth phase of Korotkoff's sounds when examining blood pressure?

A)There is a murmur or swishing sound that indicates the systolic pressure.
B)There is quieting of the tapping sound that indicates the diastolic pressure.
C)There is a faint rhythmic tapping sound that indicates the systolic pressure.
D)There is a stop of the sounds in phase 3 that indicates the diastolic pressure.

Question 30

What will be the effect of a significant loss of blood on blood pressure?

A)There will be a decrease in blood pressure.
B)There will be an increase in blood pressure.
C)There will be no change in blood pressure.
D)The response will depend on the time of day.

Question 31

What is a common cause of increased blood pressure in older adults?

A)Increased elasticity of the arterial walls.
B)Widening of the venous walls.
C)Hardening of the arterial walls.
D)Decrease in overall blood volume.

Question 32

What occurs during the first phase of Korotkoff's sounds when examining blood pressure?

A)There is a murmur or swishing sound that indicates the diastolic pressure.
B)There is quieting of the tapping sound that indicates the diastolic pressure.
C)There is a faint rhythmic tapping sound that indicates the systolic pressure.
D)There is an abrupt stopping of the sound that indicates the systolic pressure.