Vital Signs Quiz

Scenario: You are assessing a patient's vital signs in a clinical setting. The patient's blood pressure reading is 150/95 mmHg. What category does this blood pressure fall into?

• Hypertension

• 1. Prehypertension

• 1. Normal

• 1. Hypotension

Answer explanation

The blood pressure reading of 150/95 mmHg falls into the category of Hypertension, indicating elevated blood pressure levels.

Scenario: During a routine check-up, you find a patient's temperature to be 37.8°C. What action should you take based on this finding?

• Notify the physician immediately.

• Document the finding and continue monitoring the patient.

• Administer antipyretics to lower the temperature.

• Increase the room temperature to prevent hypothermia.

Answer explanation

The correct action is to document the finding and continue monitoring the patient as a temperature of 37.8°C is not considered high enough to warrant immediate intervention.

Scenario: You are assessing a patient's pulse and find it to be irregular and rapid. What term best describes this condition?

• Tachycardia.

• 1. Bradycardia

• Arrhythmia

• 1. Dysrhythmia

Answer explanation

The correct term for an irregular and rapid pulse is arrhythmia, which refers to an abnormal heart rhythm.

Scenario: You are caring for an elderly patient who is complaining of feeling short of breath. What vital sign would be most important to assess in this situation?

• Blood Pressure

• Pulse

• Respiratory Rate

• Temperature

Answer explanation

In this situation, assessing the respiratory rate is most important as the patient is complaining of feeling short of breath, indicating potential respiratory distress.

Scenario: You are conducting a health screening at a community event. A participant's blood pressure reading is 90/60 mmHg. What action should you take?

• Encourage the participant to seek medical attention immediately.

• Administer fluids to increase blood pressure.

• Recheck the blood pressure in the other arm.

• Document the finding as within normal range for some individuals.

Answer explanation

Document the finding as within normal range for some individuals because a blood pressure reading of 90/60 mmHg can be normal for some people.

What is the purpose of assessing vital signs?

• A) To create a friendly environment

• B) To satisfy medical curiosity

• C) To monitor the body's functions and detect abnormalities

• D) To keep patients busy during hospital visits

Answer explanation

Assessing vital signs is done to monitor the body's functions and detect abnormalities, not to create a friendly environment, satisfy medical curiosity, or keep patients busy during hospital visits.

What is the term for difficulty breathing?

• A) Tachycardia

• B) Dyspnea

• C) Bradypnea

• D) Apnea

Answer explanation

The term for difficulty breathing is Dyspnea, making option B the correct choice.

Which vital sign is measured in millimeters of mercury (mmHg)?

• A) Temperature

• B) Pulse

• C) Blood Pressure

• D) Respiratory Rate

Answer explanation

Blood Pressure is measured in millimeters of mercury (mmHg), making it the vital sign that corresponds to this unit of measurement.

What are the four main vital signs?

• A) Temperature, Pulse, Blood Pressure, Respiratory Rate

• B) Height, Weight, Age, BMI

• C) Vision, Hearing, Taste, Smell

• D) Sleep Quality, Stress Level, Exercise Frequency, Hydration

Answer explanation

The correct answer is A) Temperature, Pulse, Blood Pressure, Respiratory Rate. These are the four main vital signs used to assess a person's overall health and well-being.

A blood pressure reading of 120/80 mmHg falls into which category?

• A) Hypertension

• B) Prehypertension

• C) Normal

• D) Hypotension

Answer explanation

A blood pressure reading of 120/80 mmHg falls into the 'Normal' category, as it is within the healthy range for blood pressure.