Vital Signs Flashcards
To auscultate a patient’s apical pulse accurately, you position the bell or the diaphragm of your stethoscope over the point of maximal impulse, which is located
At the right midclavicular line
Over the Angle of Louis
At the fifth intercostal space at the left midclavicular line
Over the suprasternal notch
At the fifth intercostal space at the left midclavicular line
When assessing a patient’s respiratory, it is recommended that the patient
Lie flat in bed with his/her head on a pillow
Have the head of the bed elevated 45 to 6 degrees
Continue to go about his/her usual activities
Take several deep breaths prior to the assessment
Have the head of the bed elevated 45 to 6 degrees
You are measuring a patient’s temperature orally. You place the covered probe
In the posterior lingual pocket lateral to the midline
So that it rests on the lower lingual frenulum
Centrally on top of the patient’s tongue
Under the tongue just beyond the patient’s teeth
In the posterior lingual pocket lateral to the midline
You are assessing a patient’s vital signs. The patient has a temperature of 102 degrees F. (39 degrees C). Which of the following do you expect to find?
An elevated pulse rate
A decreased blood pressure
An elevated blood pressure
A decreased pulse rate
An elevated pulse rate
When taking an adult patient’s temperature rectally, it is important to
Rotate the probe gently if you encounter any resistance
Insert the probe so that you are aiming at the patient’s pelvic area
Dip the probe about an inch to an inch and a half into a tube of lubricant
Insert the probe about an inch and a half into the patient’s anus
Insert the probe about an inch and a half into the patient’s anus
When auscultating a patient’s apical pulse, you listen until you hear the S1 and S2 heart sounds clearly and regularly. S2 is produced when the
Atria contract vigorously
Ventricular walls vibrate
Semilunar valves close
Mitral valve snaps open
Semilunar valves close
When preparing to measure the vital signs of a patient, you should recognize that which of the following will affect the methods that you will use? (Select all that apply)
The patient is 60 pounds overweight
The patient has been nauseated for 2 days
The patient is reporting a “stuffy” nose
The patient has been fasting for blood tests
The patient is taking digoxin (Lanoxin)
The patient had a mastectomy 2 years ago
The patient is 60 pounds overweight
The patient is reporting a “stuffy” nose
The patient is taking digoxin (Lanoxin)
The patient had a mastectomy 2 years ago
The difference between a patient’s systolic and diastolic blood pressure is called
An auscultatory gap
The pulse pressure
A diurnal variation
The pulse deficit
The pulse pressure
You are assessing the vital signs of a newly admitted patient. To establish an accurate baseline of the patient’s respiration, you
Instruct the patient to breathe in and to exhale out as he would normally
Make the patient physically comfortable before beginning the assessment
Determine if the patient has a history of any chronic respiratory problems
Observe the patient’s chest movements while appearing to assess his pulse
Observe the patient’s chest movements while appearing to assess his pulse
You are preparing to use a tympanic thermometer. Which of the following steps has the highest priority in the accurate use of this piece of equipment for measuring body temperature?
Attaching the disposable probe cover
Assessing the external ear for redness
Gently pulling the pinna back and upward
Replacing the thermometer in its charger
Gently pulling the pinna back and upward
The most important factor in measuring blood pressure accurately is
Obtaining the reading in the early morning
Using a cuff of the appropriate size for the patient
Making sure the patient is comfortable and relaxed
Removing clothing from the arm before applying the cuff
Using a cuff of the appropriate size for the patient
When taking a patient’s blood pressure, why is it important to notice the pressure on the manometer when you hear the fourth Korotkoff sound or phase?
It corresponds to the patient’s systolic pressure
You need it to record the second diastolic pressure
It is the loudest of the Korotkoff sounds
You might not hear a fifth Korotkoff sound
You might not hear a fifth Korotkoff sound
You have assessed a 45 – year – old patient’s vital signs. Which of the following assessment values requires immediate attention?
An oral temperature of 100 degrees F (37.8 degrees C)
A blood pressure of 148/88 mm Hg
A respiratory rate of 30/min
A radial pulse rate of 45 beats per 30 seconds
A respiratory rate of 30/min
The best way to determine the depth of a patient’s respiration is to
Observe the degree of chest – wall movement during inspiration and expiration
Count how many breathing cycles you observe per minute
Notice whether or not expiration takes longer than inspiration
Measure the precise amount of air the patient takes in and breathes out
Observe the degree of chest – wall movement during inspiration and expiration
