Vital Signs and Patient Assessment Quiz

A nursing assistant notes a patient’s blood pressure to be 148/96. Which is the BEST action the assistant can take?

• Tell the patient the blood pressure reading

• Report the reading to the patient’s nurse

• Wait 15 minutes and repeat the procedure

• Immediately repeat the procedure in the other arm

You were assigned to take vital signs on an 80-year-old male nursing home resident who was recently admitted after having a stroke. Vital signs were B/P 130/90, T 99 .40 F, P102, R 32. Which vital sign reflects a measurement within normal limits?

• Blood pressure

• Pulse

• Respirations

• Temperature

Which patient is the BEST candidate for an oral temperature?

• 1-year-old healthy infant

• 16-year-old receiving his annual physical exam

• 21-year-old patient on seizure precautions

• 62-year-old comatose patient

A patient with tachycardia MOST likely has a/an:

• Elevated temperature

• Elevated blood pressure

• Fast pulse

• Increased respiratory rate

The LEAST accurate route for measuring temperature is:

• Aural

• Axillary

• Oral

• Rectal

Which is considered an elevated temperature?

• Aural 37.2 C

• Axillary 38.4 C

• Oral 37 C

• Rectal 37.8 C

Pulse rates are most commonly measured at which site?

• Apical

• Brachial

• Carotid

• Radial

What is the respiratory rate of a patient who is observed to have 16 inspirations and 16 expirations?

• 8

• 16

• 32

• 64

In a blood pressure measurement of 132/86, the number 86 is the:

• Bradycardia

• Tachycardia

• Diastolic

• Systolic

Before taking vital signs on a patient, what should you do FIRST?

• Close the privacy curtain

• Explain the procedure

• Introduce yourself

• Place the call bell within reach