ATI RN
Vital Signs in Nursing Assessment Questions
Question 1 of 5
When taking a blood pressure, it is best practice to...
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: Best practice places the BP cuff on bare skin, upper arm above the elbow , ensuring accurate artery compression. Thick clothing muffles sounds. Crossed legs may elevate readings. Forearm is less reliable. Choice C is correct, per AHA guidelines, critical for nurses to obtain precise BP measurements avoiding common errors.
Question 2 of 5
The patient is admitted with shortness of breath and chest discomfort. Which of the following laboratory values could account for the patient's symptoms?
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: Low hemoglobin (8.0, A) reduces oxygen delivery, causing dyspnea and chest pain. Normal hematocrit , RBC , and SpO2 don't explain symptoms. Choice A is correct, per nursing link of anemia to respiratory distress.
Question 3 of 5
A nurse is assessing a client's body temperature using a tympanic thermometer. How should the nurse position the thermometer for accurate measurement?
Correct Answer: D
Rationale: Tympanic thermometers measure ear canal temperature , reflecting core readings via the tympanic membrane. Oral and rectal are for different devices. Forehead is for temporal thermometers. Choice D is correct, per the explanation and manufacturer guidelines, ensuring accurate placement by aligning with the eardrum for reliable, non-invasive core temperature assessment.
Question 4 of 5
A nurse is assessing a client's oxygen saturation and obtains a reading of 100%. What does this reading indicate?
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: 100% indicates maximum oxygen saturation, hyperoxia , showing full oxygenation. Hypoxemia is low O2. Hypocapnia and hypercapnia are CO2-related. Choice B is correct, per the explanation, reflecting optimal oxygen levels.
Question 5 of 5
What anatomic site regulates the pulse rate and force?
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: The sinoatrial node regulates pulse rate and force as the heart's pacemaker, per the answer key. The thermoregulatory center controls temperature. Atria and valves don't set rhythm. Chemoreceptors adjust respiration. The SA node's electrical impulses drive heartbeats, a critical nursing concept for understanding pulse dynamics in health assessments.