chapter 19 vital signs
What is the normal range for body temperature?
97° to 99° F
Which of the following represents the average normal body temperature?
98.6° F
Which of the following individuals may normally exhibit bradycardia?
A trained athlete
How does a temporal artery temperature reading compare with an oral body temperature reading?
Approximately 1° F higher than an oral reading
Which of the following does NOT tend to increase body temperature?
Cold weather
Which of the following symptoms is experienced by a patient when his or her temperature begins to rise?
Coldness and chills
What is the name given to the type of fever in which the temperature fluctuates minimally but always remains elevated?
Continuous
Which of the following prevents ambient light from interfering with the SpO2reading?
Covering the probe with a washcloth
Which of the following terms refers to a fever?
Febrile
Which of the following is NOT used as a probe placement site?
Finger of an arm to which an automatic blood pressure cuff is applied
Which of the following are symptoms that may occur during the course of a fever?
Headache Increased pulse and respirations Increased thirst Loss of appetite
What type of breathing may occur with a panic attack?
Hyperventilation
What term is used to describe an abnormal decrease in the rate and depth of respiration?
Hypopne
What name is given to the heat-regulating center of the body?
Hypothalamus
What term designates a decrease in the oxygen saturation of the blood?
Hypoxemia
Where is the popliteal pulse located?
In the back of the knee
Where is the femoral pulse located?
In the middle of the groin
How does physical exercise temporarily affect the pulse?
Increases the pulse rate
Which of the following individuals has the fastest pulse rate?
Infant
Why is the temporal artery a good site for measuring body temperature?
It is easily accessible It has a constant, steady flow of blood It is located close to the surface of the skin
What should be done with a used probe cover for a tympanic membrane thermometer?
It should be ejected into a regular waste container.
Where is the radial pulse located?
On the thumb side of the wrist
What term is used to describe breathing that is easier in a sitting position?
Orthopnea
Which of the following has an effect on blood pressure?
Pain Bladder distention Body position Smoking
Which of the following pulse sites can be used to assess circulation to the foot?
Posterior tibial
What effect can patient movement have on the pulse oximetry procedure?
Prevents the probe from picking up the pulse signal
Which of the following is used to describe the condition in which the radial pulse rate is less than the apical pulse?
Pulse deficit
Which of the following could result in an inaccurate temporal artery temperature reading?
Quickly scanning the forehead
Which of the following probes should be selected to measure rectal body temperature with an electronic thermometer?
Red-collared probe
Which of the following represents an error in (manual) blood pressure technique?
Releasing the air in the cuff as slowly as possible
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?
Remittent
Which of the following is NOT a risk factor for developing hypertension?
Sleep apnea
Which of the following conditions is often characterized by hypopnea?
Sleep disorders
When the patient's forehead is sweating, which of the following ensures an accurate temporal artery temperature reading?
Taking the temperature behind the earlobe
Which of the following indicates that the proper cuff size has been selected?
The bladder of the cuff encircles 80% of the circumference of the arm.
Before taking body temperature with an electronic thermometer, what must happen?
The probe must be covered with a disposable cover
Which of the following may occur if the lens of a tympanic membrane thermometer is dirty?
The reading may be falsely low
What type of cuff would probably be needed to measure blood pressure on an overweight adult weighing 250 pounds?
Thigh
You are measuring the pulse and find it feels weak and rapid. How would you document this?
Thready
Chemical thermometers must be stored in:
a cool area
The rectal site should not be used to take the temperature of:
a newborn
The axilla is recommended as the preferred site for taking the temperature of:
a preschooler
The lens of a tympanic membrane thermometer should be cleaned with:
an antiseptic (alcohol) wipe
If the patient's fingers are cold when performing pulse oximetry, the medical assistant should:
ask the patient to rub his or her fingers together.
When measuring blood pressure, the patient's arm should be positioned:
at heart level.
The purpose of the power-on self-test (POST) performed by a pulse oximeter is to:
check the internal systems of the oximeter.
Proper care of the pulse oximeter includes:
cleaning the probe with a disinfectant cleaner.
The transfer of heat from one object to another is known as:
conduction
The phase in the cardiac cycle in which the heart relaxes between contractions is known as:
diastole.
Internal respiration is the:
exchange of oxygen and carbon dioxide between the blood and body cells.
The apical pulse is located:
in the fifth intercostal space, at the junction of the left midclavicular line.
The temporal artery site can be used to measure body temperature in:
infants children adults elderly
A rectal thermometer must be lubricated before insertion to prevent:
irritation of the rectal mucosa.
Excessive pressure should not be applied when measuring radial pulse because:
it could close off the radial artery, and the pulse may not be felt
Normal blood pressure for an adult is:
less than 120/80 mm Hg.
For an artery to be considered as a pulse site, it must be:
located over a firm tissue such as bone
A temperature of 100° F is classified as:
low-grade fever.
A vague sense of body discomfort, weakness, and fatigue is known as:
malaise
The control center for involuntary respiration is the:
medulla
A temperature of 97.6° F is classified as:
normal
When measuring blood pressure, the Korotkoff phase in which the sounds disappear is:
phase V
The systolic blood pressure represents the:
pressure in the arteries when the ventricles contract
When taking axillary body temperature, the arm should be held close to the body to:
prevent air currents from affecting the reading.
A temperature of 103° F is classified as
pyrexia
Pulse oximetry gives the provider information on:
the amount of oxygen being delivered to the tissues
Blood pressure measures:
the force exerted on the walls of the arteries by the blood.
After measurement of rectal temperature with an electronic thermometer, the probe cover should be ejected into:
the regular trash.
The purpose of measuring pulse includes all of the following except:
to determine if the patient is developing hypertension
The function of hemoglobin is to:
transport oxygen in the body
Most of the heat produced in the body is through
voluntary muscle contractions.
How far should the probe be inserted when measuring the rectal temperature of an infant?
1/2 inch
If a rectal temperature of 99° F was taken orally, it would register as:
100° F
If an axillary temperature of 100° F was taken orally, it would register as:
101° F.
The normal respiratory rate of an adult ranges from:
12 to 20 respirations per minute
Which of the following BP readings can be classified as hypertension, stage 1?
144/92 mm Hg
If a patient's blood pressure is 130/85 mm Hg, the patient's pulse pressure would be:
45
What is the normal range for the resting pulse rate of an adult?
60 to 100 beats/min
The oxygen saturation level of a healthy individual is:
95% to 99%
Which of the following individuals has the slowest respiratory rate?
Adult
You are taking the pulse and find it feels extremely strong and full. How would you document this?
Bounding
You take Mrs. Main's temperature at 7:00 a.m.; it reads 97.8° F. At 3:00 p.m., you take her temperature again; it reads 99° F. How do you account for the difference?
During sleep, body metabolism slows down
What term is used to describe an irregularity in the heart's rhythm?
Dysrhythmia
Which of the following tests might be ordered for a patient with a dysrhythmia?
ECG
