Patient Care 3 of 14

The medical assistant auscultates an apical pulse of 70 bpm in an older adult patient who is taking digoxin (Lanoxin). How should the medical assistant interpret this finding?

• The patient is experiencing tachycardia.

• The patient is experiencing bradycardia.

• The patient is experiencing a pulse deficit.

• The patient’s heart rate is within normal limits.

Which of the following valves separates the left atrium from the left ventricle?

• bicuspid

• pulmonic

• tricuspid

• aortic

An adult patient with vital signs of T 37.0 C, P 72, R 18, B/P 192/102 mm Hg indicates which of the following conditions?

• orthostatic hypotension

• hypoxia

• hypertension

• tachycardia

Auscultation is a method of examination that requires the use of

• an otoscope

• a stethoscope

• a percussion hammer

• a sphygmomanometer

While obtaining vitals on an infant, how is the heart rate measured?

• Palpate the radial pulse for 60 seconds

• Auscultate the apical pulse for 60 seconds.

• Auscultate the brachial pulse for 60 seconds.

• Palpate the femoral pulse for 60 seconds.

A patient with a blood pressure of 158/96 mm Hg is considered

• tachycardic

• hypertensive

• hypotensive

• bradycardic

Which of the following is the pulse site most commonly used when taking a pulse rate for routine vital signs on the adult patient?

• carotid

• brachial

• apical

• radial

Referring to the image, the medical assistant will select which of the following sites to measure the heart rate when obtaining vital signs?

• cephalic vein

• radial artery

• brachial artery

• basilic vein

The medical assistant caring for a 6-month old infant in the clinic would measure vital signs in which order?

• respirations, temperature, blood pressure, pulse

• blood pressure, temperature, pulse, respirations

• respirations, pulse, blood pressure, temperature

• pulse, blood pressure, respirations, temperature

The ECG technician needs to obtain vital signs on an emaciated 86 pound geriatric female with an oxygen mask prior to obtaining her ECG. Which of the following equipment should the technician have on hand? (Select the two (2) correct answers.)

• standard adult sphygmomanometer

• child sphygmomanometer

• oral thermometer with probe cover

• temporal thermometer

• body mass index (BMI) machine