Deck 37: Vital Signs and Measurements

Question 1

Respiration is the number of times a patient breathes in ____ seconds.

A) 15
B) 30
C) 20
D) 60
E) 90

Answer 1

60

Question 2

Which of the following is the normal range for an adult heart rate per minute?

A) 80-160
B) 75-130
C) 55-110
D) 60-100
E) 85-150

Answer 2

60-100

Question 3

Which of the following is important when taking a rectal temperature?

A) Rinse the thermometer under water before inserting it
B) Ask the patient to stand up and bend over
C) Insert the thermometer 2 inches into the rectum
D) Hold the thermometer in place while taking the temperature
E) Use a disposable thermometer

Answer 3

Hold the thermometer in place while taking the temperature

Question 4

The normal adult oral temperature is ____.

A) 98.6ºF-99.8 ºF
B) 98.8ºF-100.1 ºF
C) 97.8ºF-99.1ºF
D) 96.6ºF-99.3 ºF
E) 97.2ºF-100.0 ºF

Question 5

Which of the following pulse points is located in the groove on the thumb side of the inner wrist?

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

Question 6

Which of the following is part of the procedure for measuring the weight of an adult?

A) Placing a disposable towel on the scale
B) Asking the patient to step on the back of the scale and lean forward
C) Placing the lower weight at the lowest number until the balance indicator drops to the bottom
D) Moving the upper weight slowly to the left
E) Moving all the weights to the right side to see whether the scale is in balance

Question 7

Which of the following is the most accurate measurement of body temperature?

A) Temporal temperature
B) Tympanic temperature
C) Axillary temperature
D) Rectal temperature
E) Oral temperature

Question 8

Which of the following is the normal range for respirations per minute in an infant?

A) 30-60
B) 40-50
C) 25-36
D) 18-24
E) 12-18

Question 9

Pulse is measured as the number of times the heart beats in ____.

A) 15 seconds
B) 20 seconds
C) 30 seconds
D) 1 minute
E) 2 minutes

Question 10

Which of the following is important when using a tympanic thermometer?

A) Shake the thermometer down to a reading between 96.0ºF and 97.0ºF
B) Remove the thermometer from the recharging unit and put it in the ear before the light goes on
C) Attach a disposable sheath and place the thermometer snugly in the ear
D) Pull the ear down and forward for an adult
E) Wait at least 15 minutes after a patient has been eating, drinking, or smoking

Question 11

Which of the following thermometers provides the least accurate temperature reading?

A) Disposable thermometers
B) Electronic thermometers
C) Temporal thermometers
D) Tympanic thermometers
E) Oral thermometers

Question 12

Which of the following is a temperature of 98.6ºF converted to Celsius?

A) 35.9ºC
B) 36.4ºC
C) 37ºC
D) 37.6º C
E) 38°C

Question 13

Which of the following is important when measuring an axillary temperature?

A) Have the patient stand up
B) Place the middle of the thermometer on the edge of the axilla
C) Place the shaft of the thermometer facing forward
D) Avoid pressing the patient's upper arm against his side
E) Lubricate the thermometer before use

Question 14

The normal adult range for respirations per minute is ____.

A) 26-40
B) 20-30
C) 18-24
D) 12-18
E) 10-20

Question 15

Which of the following is considered a normal blood pressure for a healthy adult?

A) 90/60 to 139/78
B) 84/54 to 120/80
C) 80/50 to 112/80
D) 74/50 to 100/70
E) less than 120/less than 80

Question 16

Which of the following is part of the procedure for weighing a toddler?

A) Asking the parent to remove the toddler's clothing
B) Asking the parent to leave the room
C) Weighing the parent holding the toddler
D) Measuring the weight to the nearest pound
E) Asking the toddler to step on the scale, facing forward

Question 17

The usual ratio of the pulse rate to the respiration rate is ____.

A) 1:1
B) 2:1
C) 4:1
D) 6:1
E) 8:1

Question 18

Which of the following is the normal range for an infant's heart rate per minute?

A) 60-100
B) 70-115
C) 75-130
D) 85-145
E) 100-160

Question 19

Adult height should be measured to the nearest ____.

A) sixteenth of an inch
B) eighth of an inch
C) quarter of an inch
D) half-inch
E) inch

Question 20

Which of the following is important when measuring an oral temperature?

A) The patient must be able to breathe through the nose.
B) You should place the thermometer on top of the tongue and in the center.
C) The patient should hold the thermometer between the teeth.
D) You should wait 5 minutes after a patient eats or drinks before taking the temperature.
E) You should ask the patient to lie on the left side.

Question 21

Which of the following is a special consideration when taking blood pressure in adults?

A) Always take the blood pressure in the arm that has an implant
B) Avoid using any cuff other than the standard adult cuff
C) Wait 15 minutes before taking the blood pressure of a patient who has just exercised
D) Be aware that the blood pressure tends to be low in anxious patients
E) Do not take the blood pressure of a person who is anxious or upset

Question 22

When taking a blood pressure, there are five phases that are heard after the cuff is deflated. These phases are called ____.

A) systolic pressure
B) Korotkoff sounds
C) diastolic pressure
D) pulse pressure
E) auscultated pressure

Question 23

Which of the following is important in the palpatory method of obtaining blood pressure?

A) Inflate the cuff to 50 mmHg
B) Increase the pressure by 5 mmHg increments
C) Palpate the brachial artery
D) Note the level of pressure at which the pulse disappears
E) Place the stethoscope over the brachial pulse point

Question 24

Which of the following is an accurate statement about a stethoscope?

A) The diaphragm is the cone-shaped side of the stethoscope chestpiece.
B) The bell is best at amplifying low-pitched sounds, such as vascular and heart sounds.
C) The cone is the larger, flat side of the stethoscope chestpiece.
D) For best results, the earpieces should be loosely placed in the ears.
E) Earpieces should be angled down and to the rear for best fit.

Question 25

When taking an infant's pulse, if the brachial artery cannot be felt, which pulse site would be checked?

A) Over the apex of the heart
B) At the antecubital space
C) At the radial artery
D) Over the brachial artery
E) At the infant's heel

Question 26

The pulse point that is located in the bend of the elbow is called the ____ pulse.

A) pedal
B) brachial
C) apical
D) radial
E) temporal

Question 27

Which of the following is important when putting on a blood pressure cuff?

A) Place the blood pressure cuff over the patient's sleeve
B) Locate the popliteal artery
C) Position the cuff so that the midline of the bladder is at the back of the elbow
D) Make the bladder of the cuff encircles 50% to 60% the distance around the arm
E) Position the cuff so the lower edge of the cuff is 1 inch above the antecubital space

Question 28

What is the definition of tachypnea?

A) Normal breathing
B) Rapid breathing
C) Deep or labored breathing
D) Difficult or painful breathing
E) Lack of breathing

Question 29

Which of the following is not an internal factor that affects the blood pressure?

A) Cardiac output
B) Stress
C) Blood volume
D) Blood viscosity
E) Vasoconstriction

Question 30

The last tapping sound heard when taking the blood pressure is the ____.

A) systolic pressure
B) auscultated pressure
C) pressure point
D) diastolic pressure
E) palpated pressure

Question 31

Which of the following means lack of breathing?

A) Dyspnea
B) Tachypnea
C) Hyperpnea
D) Eupnea
E) Apnea

Question 32

Which of the following is a characteristic of electronic sphygmomanometers?

A) The mercury rises with an increase in pressure as the cuff is inflated.
B) They have a circular gauge for registering pressure.
C) They require the use of a stethoscope.
D) Some types also measure pulse and oxygen saturation.
E) They are the least expensive type of sphygmomanometer.

Question 33

The medical term hyperpnea is ____.

A) normal breathing
B) difficult or painful breathing
C) the absence of breathing
D) rapid and deep breathing
E) slow breathing

Question 34

Which of the following is a characteristic of aneroid sphygmomanometers?

A) They have a circular gauge for registering pressure.
B) They provide a digital readout of the blood pressure.
C) They are least likely to give an accurate reading.
D) They are very costly.
E) They are no longer being manufactured.

Question 35

Which of the following is correct in the procedure for taking an auscultated blood pressure?

A) Do not wait to take the blood pressure after completing the palpatory method
B) Switch the stethoscope to the bell
C) Hold the stethoscope in place with the thumb
D) Inflate the cuff to 30 mm Hg above the level determined by palpation
E) Record the levels of all five Korotkoff sounds

Question 36

The first tapping sound heard when taking a blood pressure is the ____.

A) systolic pressure
B) pulse point
C) diastolic pressure
D) blood pressure
E) palpated pressure

Question 37

What is the medical term for difficult or painful breathing?

A) Eupnea
B) Tachypnea
C) Hyperpnea
D) Dyspnea
E) Apnea

Question 38

Which of the following is a true statement concerning mercury sphygmomanometers?

A) They have a circular gauge for registering pressure.
B) They never need to be calibrated.
C) They are no longer being manufactured.
D) They do not require the use of a stethoscope.
E) They are less accurate than electronic sphygmomanometers.

Question 39

In addition to obtaining the length and weight of an infant, you will also measure the ____.

A) abdominal girth
B) arm length
C) leg length
D) head circumference
E) body mass index

Question 40

A patient just had a drink of cold water and you are getting ready to perform the vital signs and measurements. Which would be the best order?

A) BP, P, R, Ht., Wt., T
B) T, P, R, BP, Ht., Wt.
C) BP, T, P, R, Ht., Wt.
D) Ht., Wt., T, P, R, BP
E) T, BP, R, P, Wt., Ht.

Question 41

The measurement on this sphygmomanometer gauge is ________ mm Hg.

Question 42

Abnormally rapid, deep, and labored breathing is called ________.

Question 43

Low blood pressure is called ________.

Question 44

You must ________, or standardize, an aneroid sphygmomanometer frequently to ensure accurate results.

Question 45

Nina Trevez is a 32-year-old patient who is new to your medical office. During the initial patient interview, Ms. Trevez says her appendix was removed when she was 10 years old, she had a complete mastectomy of the left breast 5 years ago, and she has a severe allergy to penicillin. Which of the following actions would you be careful to take while taking Ms. Trevez's vital signs?

A) Include a pain assessment of her abdominal and chest areas
B) Check her blood pressure using the right arm
C) Avoid using an oral thermometer
D) Perform orthostatic vital signs
E) Wear a mask to prevent transmission of bacterial diseases

Question 46

The absence of respirations is called ________.

Question 47

The measurement on this sphygmomanometer gauge is ________ mm Hg.

Question 48

A systolic reading between 120 and 139 mm Hg and a diastolic reading between 80 and 89 mm Hg is considered ________.

Question 49

Mrs. Reeves is a 57-year-old patient who was brought to the office because she has been having frequent dizzy spells. In addition to the routine vital signs, which of the following would you expect the physician to ask you to perform for this patient?

A) Pupil reactivity
B) Elbow and knee reflexes
C) Postural vital signs
D) Capillary refill time
E) Gait tests

Question 50

Mrs. Young called the medical office because her 6-year-old daughter Mary says she feels ill. Mrs. Young used a disposable thermometer to measure the child's temperature and found it to be 102.3° Fahrenheit. Which of the following would be the best response to Mrs. Young?

A) Advise Mrs. Young that the flu is going around; have her give Mary plenty of fluids and call in three days if she does not improve
B) Tell Mrs. Young to take Mary immediately to the nearest urgent care center or emergency room for treatment
C) Explain that the physician's schedule is full until next Wednesday and ask Mrs. Young if she would like an appointment for Mary then
D) Advise Mrs. Young to keep Mary isolated from other children for a minimum of one week to avoid spreading disease
E) Make an appointment for Mary this afternoon, and ask Mrs. Young to use a regular oral thermometer to check the temperature again

Question 51

A patient is ________ when he has a body temperature within his normal range.

Question 52

Difficult or painful breathing is called ________.

Question 53

The measurement on this sphygmomanometer gauge is ________ mm Hg.

Question 54

The measurement on this sphygmomanometer gauge is ________ mm Hg.

Question 55

The measurement on this sphygmomanometer gauge is ________ mm Hg.

Question 56

The pressure measured when the left ventricle of the heart contracts is the ________ pressure, and it is the first heartbeat you hear when taking a blood pressure.

Question 57

Quint Gardner, a 35-year-old established patient, is in the office for his annual checkup. He says he feels great, and he appears to be in good physical condition. According to office policy, you check his blood pressure using the aneroid sphygmomanometer and his temperature using an axillary thermometer. His vital signs are: BP: 118/88, R: 16, T: 102.4, P: 62. Given these vitals what would the medical assistant's next step be?

A) Recheck the blood pressure using an electronic sphygmomanometer
B) Ask him to sit quietly for 15 minutes, and then recheck his pulse
C) Recheck his temperature using a different type of thermometer
D) Ask him if he has had anything cold to drink in the last half hour
E) Notify the physician that this patient's temperature is dangerously elevated

Question 58

A blood pressure over 140 to 159 mm Hg systolic and 90 to 99 mm Hg diastolic is considered _________ hypertension.

Question 59

The ________ pressure indicates the minimum amount of pressure exerted against the vessel walls at all times.

Question 60

The ________ pulse is taken over the apex (the lower left corner) of the heart, where the strongest heart sounds can be heard.

Question 61

A(n) _______ amplifies body sounds, making them louder, and consists of earpieces, binaurals, rubber or plastic tubing, and a chestpiece.

Question 62

An exceptionally high fever is known as ________.

Question 63

An abnormally slow heart rate is called ________.

Question 64

The ________ blood pressure is determined by listening with a stethoscope.

Question 65

Electronic digital _______ are used frequently in medical offices and provide a fast and accurate digital readout of the patient's temperature.

Question 66

The brachial artery pulse point is located in the bend of the elbow, or the ________ space.

Question 67

Rapid breathing is called _______.

Question 68

Temperature can be measured in degrees Fahrenheit (°F) or degrees ________ (centigrade; °C).

Question 69

The apical pulse is taken over the ________, or the lower left corner of the heart, where the strongest heart sounds can be heard.

Question 70

The ________ scanner is a noninvasive and quick procedure for taking temperatures by stroking the thermometer across the forehead, crossing over the temporal artery.

Question 71

The pulse of adults is generally measured at the ________ artery, where it can be felt in the groove on the thumb side of the inner wrist.

Question 72

Temperature can be measured in degrees ________ (°F) or degrees Celsius (centigrade; °C).

Question 73

Noisy breathing called ________ can indicate fluid in the lungs.

Question 74

A(n) ________ consists of an inflatable cuff, a pressure bulb or automatic device for inflating the cuff, and a manometer to read the blood pressure.

Question 75

The vital signs are taken in different positions to assess for ________, or postural, hypotension.

Question 76

A patient's blood pressure is checked standing and sitting. There is an increase in the pulse rate of more than 10 bpm, and the blood pressure drops more than 20 points, so this patient is considered to have orthostatic hypotension. This is sometimes documented as a positive ________ test.

Question 77

The vital signs are taken in different positions to assess for orthostatic, or ________, hypotension.

Question 78

The armpit is also called the ________.

Question 79

The procedure called the ________ method provides an approximation of the systolic blood pressure to ensure an adequate level of cuff inflation when the actual measurement is made.

Question 80

Respirations that are characterized by periods of increasing and decreasing depth of respiration between periods of apnea are ________ respirations.