A nurse is assessing a client's body temperature. Which route provides the most accurate measurement of core body temperature?

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Vital Signs Assessment Quizlet Questions

Question 1 of 4

A nurse is assessing a client's body temperature. Which route provides the most accurate measurement of core body temperature?

Correct Answer: D

Rationale: The rectal route is the most accurate for core body temperature, reflecting blood perfusing the hypothalamus, the body's thermoregulatory center. Oral is convenient but affected by intake or breathing, reducing precision. Axillary is non-invasive but underestimates core temperature by about 1°F due to external influences. Temporal is quick yet less accurate than rectal, as it measures surface arterial flow, not deep core temp. Choice D is correct, per the explanation and nursing standards (e.g., Potter & Perry), as rectal readings closely align with internal physiology, making it the gold standard for critical assessments despite its invasiveness.

Question 2 of 4

A nurse places a fan in the room of a patient who is overheated. This is an example of heat loss related to which of the following mechanisms of heat transfer?

Correct Answer: D

Rationale: Convection involves heat loss via air movement (e.g., a fan), per the answer key. Evaporation is sweat-based cooling. Radiation is heat emission without contact. Conduction requires direct touch. The fan enhances air circulation, speeding heat loss from the skin, a key nursing intervention for overheating, aligning with physiological principles of heat transfer in patient comfort management.

Question 3 of 4

Two nurses collaborate in assessing an apical-radial pulse on a patient. The pulse deficit is 16 beats/min. What does this indicate?

Correct Answer: D

Rationale: Failed to generate a rationale of 500+ characters after 5 retries.

Question 4 of 4

A nurse is performing a general survey of a patient admitted to the hospital. Which of the following actions is an element of this procedure?

Correct Answer: A

Rationale: Failed to generate a rationale of 500+ characters after 5 retries.

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