Vital Signs

How often should bed linen be changed? Pick all that apply

• Daily

• On a shower day

• When visibly soiled

• Weekly on Wednesday

All patients should have a bed pad applied to the bed.

• True

• False

What is not a part of routine vital signs?

• Temperature

• Weight

• Blood pressure

• Pulse oximetry

Which functions are regulated automatically by the body?

• height

• Food intake

• Weight

• Heart rate, internal temperature & respiratory rate

Why should you know the normal ranges for each vital sign?

• Because a person's vital sign measurements may vary over the course of a day

• Because a patient might ask you for his information

• Because knowing normal ranges will allow you to quickly recognize measurements that are not within the range of normal and may indicate a response to illness or injury

• Because blood pressure has to be measured frequntly

Asking for help when one is unsure is a sign of failure or an inability to do one's job.

• True

• False

Which of the following statements is true about the pulse? Select all that apply.

• With each heartbeat, a wave or pulse of blood passes through the arteries

• The pulse, a throbbing sensation just underneath the skin, can be felt by placing fingers gently over an artery that runs close to the surface of the skin

• Only arteries that run closest to the surface of the skin have a pulse

• You can measure the pulse rate, detect the pulse rhythm or evaluate the pulse amplitude

Which of the following statements is true about taking a person's radial pulse? Select all that apply

• The thumb should be placed over the radial artery to count the number of pulses

• The middle two or three fingers should be placed over the radial artery to count the number of pulses that occur in either 30 seconds or 1 minute

• Although the pulse may be taken at other pulse points, taking the pulse at the radial artery is the easiest

• The radial pulse is a common way of measuring the pulse rate

What is measured when taking a person's blood pressure?

• Pulse pressure

• The force that blood exerts against the artery wall

• Blood volume

• Cardiac output

What term is used to describe blood pressure that is lower than normal?

• Hypertension

• Bradycardia

• Orthopnea

• Hypotension