Q: A nurse is using a temporal artery thermometer to assess a patient’s temperature. Which normal range should the nurse expect for a healthy adult?

$$36.3\text{–}38.1\ ^\circ\text{C}$$

Question 1

A patient is admitted to the hospital after fainting during exercise. Which vital sign should be assessed first to determine if the fainting was due to cardiovascular compromise?

Accepted Answer

Blood pressure

Question 2

Which of the following is the primary source of heat production in the human body?

Accepted Answer

Metabolism

Question 3

A nurse is caring for a patient whose oral temperature is 38.2°C. According to the normal ranges, which term best describes this patient’s condition?

Accepted Answer

Pyrexia

Question 4

A patient’s blood pressure is measured as 135/85 mm Hg. What is the pulse pressure for this patient?

$$	ext{Pulse Pressure} = 	ext{Systolic} - 	ext{Diastolic}$$

Accepted Answer

$$50\ 	ext{mm Hg}$$

Question 5

Which of the following factors is most likely to cause a decrease in body temperature?

Accepted Answer

Circadian rhythm during early morning

Question 6

A patient is experiencing orthostatic hypotension. Which scenario best illustrates this condition?

Accepted Answer

Blood pressure drops significantly when the patient stands up from a sitting position

Question 7

Which of the following is NOT a method by which the body loses heat?

Accepted Answer

Metabolism

Question 8

A nurse is using a temporal artery thermometer to assess a patient’s temperature. Which normal range should the nurse expect for a healthy adult?

Accepted Answer

$$36.3	ext{–}38.1\ ^\circ	ext{C}$$

Question 9

Which of the following statements about the regulation of blood pressure is correct?

Accepted Answer

Baroreceptors in the arterial walls signal the cardiovascular center to adjust pressure

Question 10

A patient’s pulse is graded as +1. What does this indicate about the pulse?

Accepted Answer

Diminished, weaker than expected

Question 11

A patient is prescribed a medication that stimulates the sympathetic nervous system. What effect will this likely have on the patient’s pulse?

Accepted Answer

Increase the pulse rate

Question 12

Which of the following best describes the process of perfusion?

Accepted Answer

Exchange of oxygen and carbon dioxide between circulating blood and tissue cells

Question 13

A patient’s respiratory rate is 28 breaths/min. Which term best describes this condition?

Accepted Answer

Tachypnea

Question 14

A nurse is assessing a patient’s blood pressure using a stethoscope and sphygmomanometer. The first Korotkoff sound is heard at 120 mm Hg, and the last sound is heard at 80 mm Hg. What is the patient’s blood pressure?

Accepted Answer

$$120/80\ 	ext{mm Hg}$$

Question 15

Which of the following is a characteristic of remittent fever?

Accepted Answer

Temperature does not return to normal and fluctuates a few degrees up and down

Question 16

A patient’s blood pressure is measured as 88/58 mm Hg. According to the definitions provided, which term best describes this condition?

Accepted Answer

Hypotension

Question 17

Which of the following is the most powerful respiratory stimulant?

Accepted Answer

Increase in carbon dioxide

Question 18

A patient is found to have a bounding pulse. Which grade would the nurse assign to this finding?

Accepted Answer

Grade 3+

Question 19

A patient’s temperature is measured at 36.0°C using an axillary thermometer. Is this within the normal range for axillary temperature?

Accepted Answer

Yes, it is within the normal range

Question 20

A patient is experiencing dyspnea. Which of the following best describes this condition?

Accepted Answer

Difficult or labored breathing

Ch: 26 Vital Signs

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