Deck 4: Vital Signs

Question 1

A temperature of 100° F is classified as

A) Normal
B) Hyperpyrexia
C) Hypothermia
D) Low-grade fever

Answer 1

Low-grade fever

Question 2

Which of the following symptoms are experienced by a patient when his or her temperature begins to rise?

A) Coldness and chills
B) Perspiration
C) Bradycardia
D) Hyperventilation
E) All of the above

Answer 2

Coldness and chills

Question 3

Which of the following represents the average normal body temperature?

A) 37.8° C
B) 96.8° F
C) 98.6° F
D) 99.6° F

Answer 3

98.6° F

Question 4

What is the normal range for body temperature?

A) 96 ^$\circ$ F to 98 ^$\circ$ F
B) 97 ^$\circ$ F to 99 ^$\circ$ F
C) 98 ^$\circ$ F to 99 ^$\circ$ F
D) 97 ^$\circ$ F to 100.4 ^$\circ$ F

Question 5

If an axillary temperature of 100° F was taken orally, it would register as

A) 98° F
B) 99° F
C) 100° F
D) 101° F

Question 6

Most of the heat produced in the body is through

A) Shivering
B) Perspiration
C) Voluntary muscle contractions
D) Digestion

Question 7

The transfer of heat from one object to another is known as

A) Conduction
B) Radiation
C) Convection
D) Microwaves

Question 8

What is the name given to the type of fever in which the temperature fluctuates minimally but always remains elevated?

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

Question 9

What is the name given to the type of fever in which a wide range of temperature fluctuations occurs, all of which are above normal?

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

Question 10

A vague sense of body discomfort, weakness, and fatigue that often marks the onset of a disease is known as

A) The blahs
B) Malaise
C) Crisis
D) Adventitious

Question 11

A temperature of 103° F is classified as

A) Hyperpyrexia
B) Pyrexia
C) Hypopyrexia
D) Low-grade fever

Question 12

A temperature of 97.6° F is classified as

A) Normal
B) Hypothermia
C) Subnormal
D) Low-grade fever

Question 13

When taking axillary body temperature, the arm should be held close to the body to

A) Allow for proper placement of the thermometer
B) Prevent irritation to the skin
C) Prevent the transfer of pathogens
D) Prevent air currents from affecting the reading

Question 14

All of the following tend to increase body temperature except

A) Crying
B) Vigorous physical exercise
C) Pregnancy
D) Cold weather

Question 15

Which of the following are symptoms that may occur during the course of a fever?

A) Headache
B) Increased pulse and respirations
C) Increased thirst
D) Loss of appetite
E) All of the above

Question 16

Which of the following terms refers to a fever?

A) Hypothermia
B) Febrile
C) Dehydration
D) Afebrile

Question 17

What name is given to the heat-regulating center of the body?

A) Medulla
B) Hypothalamus
C) Pituitary gland
D) Olfactory lobe

Question 18

You take Mrs. Main's temperature at 7:00 AM; it reads 97.8° F. At 3:00 PM, you take her temperature again; it reads 99° F. How do you account for the difference?

A) During sleep, body metabolism slows down.
B) Mrs. Main normally runs a low body temperature.
C) During sleep, muscle activity increases.
D) Women normally run a higher body temperature than men.

Question 19

Before taking body temperature with an electronic thermometer, what must happen?

A) The probe must be covered with a disposable cover.
B) The thermometer must be shaken down to 96° F.
C) The thermometer must be calibrated.
D) The ear canal must be straightened.

Question 20

The axilla is recommended as the preferred site for taking the temperature of

A) An infant
B) A preschooler
C) An adult
D) An uncooperative patient

Question 21

A rectal thermometer must be lubricated before insertion to prevent

A) The transfer of pathogens
B) An inaccurate temperature reading
C) The thermometer from breaking
D) Irritation of the rectal mucosa

Question 22

For an artery to be considered as a pulse site, it must be

A) Located in a closed cavity
B) Located away from major nerves
C) Located over a firm tissue such as bone
D) Located close to the heart

Question 23

How far should the probe be inserted when measuring the rectal temperature of an infant?

A) 1/2 inch
B) 1/4 inch
C) 1 inch
D) 1 1/2 inches

Question 24

After measurement of rectal temperature with an electronic thermometer, the probe cover should be ejected into

A) The regular trash
B) A biohazard sharps container
C) A biohazard waste container
D) A chemical disinfectant

Question 25

When the patient's forehead is sweating, which of the following ensures an accurate temporal artery temperature reading?

A) Cleaning the lens with an antiseptic wipe
B) Brushing the patient's hair to the side
C) Applying a probe cover
D) Taking the temperature behind the earlobe

Question 26

Which of the following may occur if the lens of a tympanic membrane thermometer is dirty?

A) The lens may break.
B) The reading may be falsely low.
C) The tympanic membrane may become irritated.
D) The reading may be falsely high.

Question 27

Which of the following probes should be selected to measure rectal body temperature with an electronic thermometer?

A) Blue-collared probe
B) Red-collared probe
C) Pink-collared probe
D) Green-collared probe

Question 28

Excessive pressure should not be applied when measuring radial pulse because

A) The pulse may increase
B) The pulse may decrease
C) It could close off the radial artery and the pulse may not be felt
D) It could affect the rhythm of the pulse

Question 29

Reasons why the temporal artery is a good site for measuring body temperature include all of the following except

A) It is not affected by ambient temperature.
B) It is easily accessible.
C) It has a constant, steady flow of blood.
D) It is located close to the surface of the skin.

Question 30

Chemical thermometers must be stored in

A) The freezer
B) A dry heat oven
C) A watertight container
D) A cool area

Question 31

How does a temporal artery temperature reading compare with an oral body temperature reading?

A) Approximately 1° F higher than an oral reading
B) Approximately 1° F lower than an oral reading
C) Approximately 2° F higher than an oral reading
D) It is the same as an oral reading.

Question 32

A tympanic membrane thermometer should not be used to measure temperature on a patient who has

A) Otitis externa
B) A small amount of cerumen in the ear
C) Big ears
D) Strep throat

Question 33

The rectal site should not be used to take the temperature of

A) A newborn
B) An unconscious patient
C) An infant
D) A mouth-breathing patient

Question 34

How does physical exercise temporarily affect the pulse?

A) Increases the pulse rate
B) Decreases the pulse rate
C) Has no effect on it
D) Results in a dysrhythmia

Question 35

The temporal artery site can be used to measure body temperature in

A) Infants
B) Children
C) Adults
D) Elderly
E) All of the above

Question 36

The purpose of measuring pulse includes all of the following except

A) To assess pulse rate after special procedures that affect heart functioning
B) To determine if the patient is developing hypertension
C) To assess pulse rate after the administration of medications that affect heart functioning
D) To establish the patient's baseline pulse rate

Question 37

If a rectal temperature of 99° F was taken orally, it would register as

A) 97° F
B) 98° F
C) 99° F
D) 100° F

Question 38

Which of the following could result in an inaccurate temporal artery temperature reading?

A) Having the patient remove his SpongeBob hat
B) Using a probe with a shiny lens
C) Quickly scanning the forehead
D) Keeping the button continually depressed while scanning

Question 39

Which of the following individuals has the fastest pulse rate?

A) Infant
B) School-age child
C) Adolescent
D) Adult

Question 40

The lens of a tympanic membrane thermometer should be cleaned with

A) A mild detergent
B) An abrasive cleanser
C) An antiseptic wipe
D) A soft tissue

Question 41

Which of the following tests might be ordered for a patient with a dysrhythmia?

A) MRI
B) Heart catheterization
C) ECG
D) Blood gas analysis

Question 42

During exhalation

A) Oxygen is taken into the lungs
B) The diaphragm descends
C) The lungs expand
D) Carbon dioxide is removed from the lungs

Question 43

You are measuring the pulse and find it feels weak and rapid. How would you record this?

A) Bounding
B) Thready
C) Tachycardia
D) Bradycardia

Question 44

Where is the popliteal pulse located?

A) In front of the ear and just above eye level
B) In the middle of the groin
C) On the anterior side of the neck
D) In the back of the knee

Question 45

The normal respiratory rate of an adult ranges from

A) 8 to 16 respirations per minute
B) 10 to 18 respirations per minute
C) 12 to 20 respirations per minute
D) 16 to 22 respirations per minute

Question 46

One respiration consists of

A) One inhalation
B) One exhalation
C) One inhalation and one exhalation
D) The opening and closing of the valves of the heart

Question 47

Which of the following is used to describe the condition in which the radial pulse rate is less than the apical pulse?

A) Apical-radial pulse
B) Pulse pressure
C) Pulse deficit
D) Atrial fibrillation

Question 48

The control center for involuntary respiration is the

A) Medulla
B) Thalamus
C) Hypothalamus
D) Olfactory lobe

Question 49

Which of the following pulse sites can be used to assess circulation to the foot?

A) Posterior tibial
B) Ulnar
C) Femoral
D) Popliteal

Question 50

What is the normal range for the resting pulse rate of an adult?

A) 60 to 100 beats/min
B) 60 to 80 beats/min
C) 70 to 90 beats/min
D) 80 to 100 beats/min

Question 51

Where is the femoral pulse located?

A) In the posterior hip region
B) In the back of the knee
C) In the middle of the groin
D) On the anterior side of the neck

Question 52

Where is the radial pulse located?

A) On the thumb side of the wrist
B) In the center of the antecubital space
C) On the little finger side of the wrist
D) On the anterior side of the neck

Question 53

You are taking the pulse and find it feels extremely strong and full. How would you record this?

A) Bounding
B) Thready
C) Bradycardia
D) Tachycardia

Question 54

Which of the following individuals may normally exhibit bradycardia?

A) A trained athlete
B) An infant
C) An elderly person
D) A diabetic patient

Question 55

Which of the following pulse sites is often used to monitor pulse during exercise?

A) Temporal
B) Carotid
C) Ulnar
D) Dorsalis pedis

Question 56

Which of the following terms describes an abnormally fast pulse rate?

A) Tachypnea
B) Bounding
C) Tachycardia
D) Bradycardia

Question 57

Internal respiration is the

A) Exchange of oxygen and carbon dioxide between the lungs and blood
B) Removal of carbon dioxide from the lungs
C) Exchange of oxygen and carbon dioxide between the blood and body cells
D) Measurement of the oxygen saturation of the blood

Question 58

You are measuring the pulse and find it has a normal rhythm and volume. How should you record this?

A) Dysrhythmia and regular
B) Bounding and strong
C) Regular and strong
D) Thready and regular

Question 59

The apical pulse is located

A) In the fourth intercostal space at the left margin of the sternum
B) In the fifth intercostal space at the junction of the left midclavicular line
C) On the anterior side of the neck, slightly to one side of the midline
D) On the fourth rib at the junction of the right margin of the sternum

Question 60

What term is used to describe an irregularity in the heart's rhythm?

A) Fibrillation
B) Ectopic beat
C) Bradycardia
D) Dysrhythmia

Question 61

Which of the following conditions is often characterized by hypopnea?

A) Sleep disorders
B) Dehydration
C) Fever
D) Chills

Question 62

Pulse oximetry provides the physician with information on

A) The rate and depth of respiration
B) Cardiac dysrhythmias
C) The amount of oxygen being delivered to the tissues
D) Circulation to the extremities

Question 63

The abbreviation used to record oxygen saturation as measured by a pulse oximeter is

A) SaO₂
B) PCO₂
C) PO₂
D) SpO₂

Question 64

The function of hemoglobin is to

A) Transport oxygen in the body
B) Defend the body against infection
C) Assist in blood clotting
D) Transport nutrients to the cells

Question 65

What term designates a decrease in the oxygen saturation of the blood?

A) Apnea
B) Hypoxemia
C) Hypopnea
D) Hypoxia

Question 66

The oxygen saturation level of a healthy individual is

A) 95% to 99%
B) 90% to 95%
C) 85% to 90%
D) 75% to 85%

Question 67

What term is used to describe a bluish discoloration of the skin caused by a lack of oxygen?

A) Cyanosis
B) Hypoxia
C) Apnea
D) Ischemia

Question 68

What term is used to describe an abnormal decrease in the rate and depth of respiration?

A) Tachypnea
B) Hypopnea
C) Orthopnea
D) Bradycardia

Question 69

Which of the following individuals has the slowest respiratory rate?

A) Newborn
B) Infant
C) Preschool child
D) Adult

Question 70

What type of breathing may occur with a panic attack?

A) Wheezing
B) Bradypnea
C) Hyperventilation
D) Hypoxia

Question 71

All of the following may cause a decrease in the SpO₂ reading except

A) Pneumonia
B) Asthma
C) Emphysema
D) Gastritis

Question 72

Which of the following does not affect the SpO₂ reading?

A) Dark fingernail polish
B) Darkly pigmented skin
C) Bruises
D) Artificial fingernails

Question 73

Proper care of the pulse oximeter includes

A) Cleaning the probe with a disinfectant cleaner
B) Autoclaving the probe for 20 minutes
C) Lifting the monitor by the cable
D) Cleaning the monitor with an abrasive cleaner
E) All of the above

Question 74

Which of the following prevents ambient light from interfering with the SpO₂ reading?

A) Cleansing the placement site with an alcohol wipe
B) Warming the probe placement site
C) Covering the probe with a washcloth
D) Proper alignment of the probe on the patient's finger

Question 75

What effect can patient movement have on the pulse oximetry procedure?

A) Prevents the probe from picking up the pulse signal
B) Causes a decrease in blood flow to the finger
C) Prevents the probe from being aligned properly
D) Causes the photodetector to absorb too much light

Question 76

If a patient's pulse rate is 80 beats/min, the patient's respirations would most likely be

A) 14 respirations per minute
B) 16 respirations per minute
C) 18 respirations per minute
D) 20 respirations per minute

Question 77

What term is used to describe breathing that is easier in a sitting position?

A) Orthopnea
B) Dyspnea
C) Bradypnea
D) Eupnea

Question 78

The purpose of the power-on self-test (POST) performed by a pulse oximeter is to

A) Determine if the battery is low
B) Check the internal systems of the oximeter
C) Calculate the patient's oxygen saturation level
D) Search for the patient's pulse

Question 79

What term is used to describe temporary cessation of breathing?

A) Hypoxia
B) Hypopnea
C) Apnea
D) Anoxia

Question 80

Which of the following individuals would be least likely to have dyspnea?

A) A patient with chronic bronchitis
B) A patient with arthritis
C) A patient with emphysema
D) A patient with asthma