Test your basic knowledge |

Measuring Vital Signs

Subjects : health-sciences, emergency-medicine

Instructions:

Answer 50 questions in 15 minutes.
If you are not ready to take this test, you can study here.
Match each statement with the correct term.
Don't refresh. All questions and answers are randomly picked and ordered every time you load a test.

This is a study tool. The 3 wrong answers for each question are randomly chosen from answers to other questions. So, you might find at times the answers obvious, but you will see it re-enforces your understanding as you take the test each time.

1. Breathing is an involuntary automatic function controlled by the respiratory center located where?
16-20
Feeble
Respiration
Pons and Medulla of the brainstem

2. Taking axillary temperature
Febrile stage - the body temperature rises to a new set point established by the hypothalamus and remains there until there is a resolution to the cause of fever.
place the thermometer in the center of the patients dry axilla. Ask patient to hold the arm tightly against the chest. Leave in place 3-8 minutes.
hypotension
1) ventilation - Which is the movement of air in and out of the lung. 2) dispersion of air throughout the bronchial tree of the lungs; 3) diffusion of oxygen and carbon dioxide molecules across the alveolar membranes; 4) perfusion - the movement of b

3. Rectal temperature are
bradypnea
shallow or slow breathing
the effectiveness of the heart contractions - the amount of blood in the system - and the presence of any obstruction or interference of blood to the blood vessels
about 1 degree higher than oral temperatures

4. Murmur or swishing sounds that increase as the cuff is deflated
apnea
Korotkoff sounds Phase II Swishing
Onset - which may occur gradually or suddenly. the body responds to a pyrogen by trying to conserve and manufacture heat to raise the set point for core temperature. The person will feel cold - and will add clothes or covers - curl up in a ball - and
remittent

5. Adolescent
Evaporation
The systolic blood pressure rises slightly because the arota and major arteries tend to harden with age. The diastolic pressure rises also.
if its hot bp can lower because of vasodilation. if its cold it can rise because of vasoconstriction.
16-20

6. Weak and regular (even beats wit poor force)
+1
Crisis
Relapsing
Stroke Volume

7. What will happen in febrile stage if temperature is very high or temperature stays for a long amount of time?
orthostatic hypertension
Pulse
the effectiveness of the heart contractions - the amount of blood in the system - and the presence of any obstruction or interference of blood to the blood vessels
dehydration - delirium - and convulsons may occur. Dehydration will occur because of lost with perspiration and more rapid breathing. Delirium and convulsions may occur because neurologic function is affected when the temperature in the brain rises.

8. Low oxygen
stridor
hemorrhage - vomiting - diarrhea - burns - and myocardial infarctions.
hypoxia
bradypnea

9. right arm vs. left arm/ arm vs. leg BP?
fever
The emotions increase hormone secretion - and the body activities required for this increase heat production.
variation of about 5-10 between arms. and a 10-40 difference in systolic pressure with leg & arm.
intermittent

10. Pulse lower than 60 beats per minute
remittent
about 1 degree lower than oral temperatures
bradycardia
Stroke volume

11. Symptoms of hypoxia
thready
Hyperventilation
restlessness & apprehension - confusion - dizziness - and change in level of consciousness - cyanosis or skin color changes - particularly around the mouth and in the nail beds
Systolic pressure

12. 2nd stage of fever is?
140-159/90-99
Febrile stage - the body temperature rises to a new set point established by the hypothalamus and remains there until there is a resolution to the cause of fever.
+3
^160/^100

13. Bend of elbow
Brachial
the proper cuff is 21% bigger than the diameter of the arm. the inflatable bladder should go around 3/4 of the arm.
Defervescence - lowering of the body temperature to normal. The person feels warm and the skin may be moist.
silence as cuff deflates for 30 to 40 mm Hg; common with hypertension and elderly patients

14. What pulse is checked to determine whether there is any blockage of circulation in the artery up to that point - especially in patients who have had cardiac catherization using the femoral artery for the insertion of the catheter or those who had sur
Pedal pulse
blood pressure is lowest in the morning. and higher in the afternoone
The pulse rate gradually diminishes from birth to adulthood
Stroke volume

15. How do drugs affect pulse?
Because fever is a protective defense mechanisms that the body uses to fight pathogens and their toxins the inflammatory response produces fevers.
60 to 70 mL
Stimulants increase the pulse rate. Depressants decrease the pulse rate.
20-30

16. When the heart contracts How many mLs of blood is propelled into the aorta?
lysis
60 to 70 mL
+2
Radial

17. Taking a rectal temperature
Wash hands - don gloves - lubricate probe - Insert .5 to 1.5 inches. Hold in place for 3 to 5 minutes.
Feeble
dyspnea
60 to 70 mL

18. 1st stage of fever is?
when it is difficult to find or to count the radial pulse - or for patients with heart conditions for one full minute by placing stethoscope on the heart to count for a full minute.
bradycardia
Onset - which may occur gradually or suddenly. the body responds to a pyrogen by trying to conserve and manufacture heat to raise the set point for core temperature. The person will feel cold - and will add clothes or covers - curl up in a ball - and
shallow or slow breathing

19. A pattern of breathing in which there is an increase in the rate and the depth of breaths and carbon dioxide is expelled - causing te blood level of carbon dioxide to fall. this condition is seen after sever exertion - during high levels of anxiety o
When an accurate temperature cant be obtained orally and a tympanic or temporal artery thermometer are not available. It may be used when there is nasal congestion or there has been nasal or oral surgery - the patient is unable to keep their mouth cl
Tachypnea
Hyperventilation
absent

20. Carbon dioxide is carried as bicarbonate ion in the blood until it reaches where?
Korotkoff sounds Phase V: Silence
raises BP.
the lungs
the effectiveness of the heart contractions - the amount of blood in the system - and the presence of any obstruction or interference of blood to the blood vessels

21. What should you do if you cannot determine BP by ausculation?
140-159/90-99
Body temperature drops before ovulation and rises 1 degree above normal during ovulation. During pregnancy the body temperature is slightly higher.
the palpation method is used. put cuff over arm - feel the radial point to get the systolic pressure you cant get the diastolic this way.
men - African Americans - under a lot of stress - obese

22. Prehypertension
120-139/80-89
Korotkoff sounds Phase II Swishing
Dorsalis pedis
Blood pressure increases because there is more volume of blood in the vascular system.

23. No pulse palpable or heard on ausculation
3 in the right lung and 2 lobes in the left
oximeter
bradypnea
absent

24. Drop in blood pressure when arising to a standing position.
arrhythmia
Tall - slender people mayy ave a slower pulse rate than short - stout persons
orthostatic hypertension
from drug therapy - a neurologic problem or dehydration.

25. When warm skin touches a cool object - heat is lost to the object.
Rhonchi
Conduction
+2
Apical

26. Decreased levels of oxygen in the blood - often seen in patients wo are under medical sedation - who are recovering from anesthesia or abdominal surgery - or who are in a weak or debiliated condition.
oximetry
hypoxemia
Kussmaul's respiration
hyperoxia

27. Bend of knee
higher
popliteal
Evaporation
Crisis

28. Both strong and weak beats occur within 1 minute
It may rise slightly as decreases in vital capacity and respiratory reserve occur.
Irregular
decrease BP - increase pulse rate - cold and clammy skin - dizziness - blurred vision - and apprehension.
Korotkoff sounds

29. People most at risk for hypertension
Hyperthermia related to infection or excessive heat exposure
dyspnea
97.5 to 99.5
men - African Americans - under a lot of stress - obese

30. Whats the best position to take a rectal temperature?
left Sims position
BMR
dehydration - delirium - and convulsons may occur. Dehydration will occur because of lost with perspiration and more rapid breathing. Delirium and convulsions may occur because neurologic function is affected when the temperature in the brain rises.
+1

31. High oxygen
Respiration
remittent
When an accurate temperature cant be obtained orally and a tympanic or temporal artery thermometer are not available. It may be used when there is nasal congestion or there has been nasal or oral surgery - the patient is unable to keep their mouth cl
hyperoxia

32. BP at or lower 90/60.
Evaporation
fever
low BP
hypotension

33. How does physical exercise raise the body's temperature?
Nursing interventions to reduce fever
Korotkoff sounds
cardiac patients or patients who have had rectal surgery.
It uses large muscles in the body - which create body heat by burning up the glucose and fat in the tissues - muscle action generates heat and core temperature rises.

34. Obtaining the correct size for a cuff for BP?
the proper cuff is 21% bigger than the diameter of the arm. the inflatable bladder should go around 3/4 of the arm.
permanent damage to the heart - the brain - the kidneys - and the retina of the eye - may cause strokes
Acute anxiety stimulate the nervous system - raising the pulse.
apnea

35. How do you measure the apical pulse?
thready
The emotions increase hormone secretion - and the body activities required for this increase heat production.
determine if the patient has a known heart arrhythmia - perform hand hygiene - expose the left chest - warm the stethoscope in hand for a min or 2 - locate the apex of the heart by palpating for the 5th intercostal space at the midclavicular line. li
if its hot bp can lower because of vasodilation. if its cold it can rise because of vasoconstriction.

36. Disappearance of sound. (marks diastolic pressure in adults)
males have higher bp - until menopause then they are the same
the palpation method is used. put cuff over arm - feel the radial point to get the systolic pressure you cant get the diastolic this way.
Korotkoff sounds Phase V: Silence
palpate

37. The lower pressure exerted on the artery when the heart is at rest inbetween contractions.
20-30
Korotkoff sounds
Diastolic pressure
apnea

38. The difference between the systolic pressure and the diastolic pressure
Pulse pressure
Conduction
Korotkoff sounds Phase IV: Muffling
Hypothermia

39. Continuous dry - rattling sounds heard on ausculation of the lungs caused by partial obstruction.
pulse deficit - the radial pulse subtracted from the apical pulse equals the pulse deficit.
the rate - the rhythm - and volume
about 1 degree lower than oral temperatures
Rhonchi

40. Louder knocking sound that occurs wit each heartbeat
bradycardia
Korotkoff sounds Phase III: Knocking
Nursing interventions to reduce fever
16-20

41. Slow and shallow breathing - leads to hypoxemia.
Defervescence - lowering of the body temperature to normal. The person feels warm and the skin may be moist.
Axillary.
tachycardia
bradypnea

42. Absence of breathing
apnea
Posterior tibial
12-20
crackles

43. Gradual return to a normal temperature
lysis
blood pressure is lowest in the morning. and higher in the afternoone
Pulse pressure
Stimulants increase the pulse rate. Depressants decrease the pulse rate.

44. Why would patients experience orthostatic hypotenstion?
Pedal pulse
remittent
from drug therapy - a neurologic problem or dehydration.
Rhonchi

45. Gas exchange in the blood occurs where?
in the alveoli - tiny thin-walled sacs
16-20
postoperative patients wo have been cooled during surgery - newborn infants whose skin is exposed to cool room temperatures - elderly or debiliated patients - and those exposed to cold temperatures for prolonged periods.
Korotkoff sounds Phase III: Knocking

46. How does age affect pulse?
The body's temperature in the morning is usually low from inactivity of the muscles. The afternooon body temperature may be high-normal because of the body's metabolic processes - the patient's activity - and the temperature of the environment.
hypotension
Diastolic pressure
The pulse rate gradually diminishes from birth to adulthood

47. Side of wrist
Blood pressure increases because there is more volume of blood in the vascular system.
Pons and Medulla of the brainstem
Radial
It will also fall

48. Heart
Apical
about 1 degree higher than oral temperatures
Tachypnea
hypoxia

49. Subnormal body temperature the regulating center in the hypothalamus is greatly impaired when the temperature of the body falls below 94 degrees - at that point? sleepiness and coma are apt to develop.
Rhonchi
20-30
Hypothermia
when it is difficult to find or to count the radial pulse - or for patients with heart conditions for one full minute by placing stethoscope on the heart to count for a full minute.

50. How cardiac contractions are normally initiated by the electrical impules emerging from what?
permanent damage to the heart - the brain - the kidneys - and the retina of the eye - may cause strokes
higher
variation of about 5-10 between arms. and a 10-40 difference in systolic pressure with leg & arm.
Sinoatrial node (SA NODE)