PCHA FINAL EXAM QUESTIONS AND EXPERT VERIFIED ANSWERS
ALL GRADED A+|2026/2027 LATEST UPDATE
A patient is being seen in the clinic for "fainting episodes". The patient has a blood
pressure of 150/90 in a lying position, 120/80 in a sitting position, and 90/60 in a
standing position. How should the nurse interpret these findings? - ANS... -The
change in blood pressure readings is called orthostatic hypotension.
In the article by Rakotz, 'Medical students and measuring blood pressure: Results
from the American Medical Association Blood Pressure Check Challenge', what
are the consequences of poor technique when measuring blood pressure? - ANS... -
all of the above
- A 5- to 10-mm Hg error can result in an incorrect diagnosis of hypertension.
- Poor technique can cause patients with hypertension that is controlled to appear
uncontrolled.
- Without accurate blood pressure readings, improving blood pressure control in
unlikely because physicians will not reliably know which patients need to be more
aggressively treated and which do not.
Which of the following is correct about arterial blood pressure? - ANS... -It is
important to know the normal blood pressure of each individual.
The nurse has just admitted the patient for evaluation of unexplained fever. The
patient's temperature is 102o F, blood pressure 76/50 (baseline 130/74), pulse 110
bpm (baseline 72), respiration 16 bpm (baseline 12). Which of the following best
explains the patient's hypotension? - ANS... -Vasodilation secondary to his illness.
Which of the following is NOT true regarding assessment of the respiratory
system? - ANS... -Orthopnea refers to a subjective feeling of not being able to get
enough oxygen while standing.
The patient is a 85-years-old and has come to your clinic with complaints of
fatigue, cough and decreased appetite for 3 days. When taking vital signs on this
client, you note the oral temperature to be 99.3o F. You should: - ANS... -consider
this a concerning finding which needs attention
According to the article by Kiekkas, et al., 'Physical Antipyresis in Critically Ill
Adults', what is the benefit of temperature elevation? - ANS... -inhibits bacterial
growth
, In the article by Cretikos, et al., 'Respiratory rate: The neglected vital sign', a
patient with a respiratory rate of over 24 breaths/minute should be monitored more
closely, even if other vital signs are normal. - ANS... -true
Which of the following is true with regard to using the temporal artery
thermometer? - ANS... -Measure only the 'up' or exposed side for the most accurate
reading.
The patient is admitted to the hospital after a three day history of severe vomiting
and diarrhea secondary to a bacterial infection of the colon. The patient is
otherwise in good health with no chronic illnesses. The baseline blood pressure is
130/84, pulse 78. During the admission assessment, what might the nurse expect
the patient's vital signs to be based on the illness? (All blood pressures taken in the
supine (lying) position). - ANS... -Pulse: 130, Blood Pressure: 90/50, Resp: 24,
Temp: 102°F
A patient tells the nurse that he is very nervous, nauseated and that he "feels hot".
This type of data would be considered: - ANS... -subjective
Because the physical environment in which an interview takes place is an
important consideration for the success of an interview, the interviewer should: -
ANS... -reduce noise by turning off televisions and cell phones
A nurse is taking complete health histories on all the patients attending a wellness
workshop. While conducting an interview with a patient, the nurse asks, "Can you
tell me a little about yourself?" This question is an example of: - ANS... -an open-
ended question
During an interview, a parent of a hospitalized child is sitting in an open position.
As the interviewer begins to discuss the child's treatment, however, the parent
suddenly crosses the arms against the chest and crosses the legs. Based on the
understanding that nonverbal modes of communication provide clues to
understanding feelings, the sudden change in body position would suggest that the
parent is: - ANS... -uncomfortable talking about his child's treatment
A 59-year-old patient is returning to the outpatient clinic for a follow up visit. The
patient has a history of ulcerative colitis. The patient states he has been having
"black stools" for the last 24 hours. Which of the following would be the most
complete way for the nurse to document the patient's reason for seeking care? -
ALL GRADED A+|2026/2027 LATEST UPDATE
A patient is being seen in the clinic for "fainting episodes". The patient has a blood
pressure of 150/90 in a lying position, 120/80 in a sitting position, and 90/60 in a
standing position. How should the nurse interpret these findings? - ANS... -The
change in blood pressure readings is called orthostatic hypotension.
In the article by Rakotz, 'Medical students and measuring blood pressure: Results
from the American Medical Association Blood Pressure Check Challenge', what
are the consequences of poor technique when measuring blood pressure? - ANS... -
all of the above
- A 5- to 10-mm Hg error can result in an incorrect diagnosis of hypertension.
- Poor technique can cause patients with hypertension that is controlled to appear
uncontrolled.
- Without accurate blood pressure readings, improving blood pressure control in
unlikely because physicians will not reliably know which patients need to be more
aggressively treated and which do not.
Which of the following is correct about arterial blood pressure? - ANS... -It is
important to know the normal blood pressure of each individual.
The nurse has just admitted the patient for evaluation of unexplained fever. The
patient's temperature is 102o F, blood pressure 76/50 (baseline 130/74), pulse 110
bpm (baseline 72), respiration 16 bpm (baseline 12). Which of the following best
explains the patient's hypotension? - ANS... -Vasodilation secondary to his illness.
Which of the following is NOT true regarding assessment of the respiratory
system? - ANS... -Orthopnea refers to a subjective feeling of not being able to get
enough oxygen while standing.
The patient is a 85-years-old and has come to your clinic with complaints of
fatigue, cough and decreased appetite for 3 days. When taking vital signs on this
client, you note the oral temperature to be 99.3o F. You should: - ANS... -consider
this a concerning finding which needs attention
According to the article by Kiekkas, et al., 'Physical Antipyresis in Critically Ill
Adults', what is the benefit of temperature elevation? - ANS... -inhibits bacterial
growth
, In the article by Cretikos, et al., 'Respiratory rate: The neglected vital sign', a
patient with a respiratory rate of over 24 breaths/minute should be monitored more
closely, even if other vital signs are normal. - ANS... -true
Which of the following is true with regard to using the temporal artery
thermometer? - ANS... -Measure only the 'up' or exposed side for the most accurate
reading.
The patient is admitted to the hospital after a three day history of severe vomiting
and diarrhea secondary to a bacterial infection of the colon. The patient is
otherwise in good health with no chronic illnesses. The baseline blood pressure is
130/84, pulse 78. During the admission assessment, what might the nurse expect
the patient's vital signs to be based on the illness? (All blood pressures taken in the
supine (lying) position). - ANS... -Pulse: 130, Blood Pressure: 90/50, Resp: 24,
Temp: 102°F
A patient tells the nurse that he is very nervous, nauseated and that he "feels hot".
This type of data would be considered: - ANS... -subjective
Because the physical environment in which an interview takes place is an
important consideration for the success of an interview, the interviewer should: -
ANS... -reduce noise by turning off televisions and cell phones
A nurse is taking complete health histories on all the patients attending a wellness
workshop. While conducting an interview with a patient, the nurse asks, "Can you
tell me a little about yourself?" This question is an example of: - ANS... -an open-
ended question
During an interview, a parent of a hospitalized child is sitting in an open position.
As the interviewer begins to discuss the child's treatment, however, the parent
suddenly crosses the arms against the chest and crosses the legs. Based on the
understanding that nonverbal modes of communication provide clues to
understanding feelings, the sudden change in body position would suggest that the
parent is: - ANS... -uncomfortable talking about his child's treatment
A 59-year-old patient is returning to the outpatient clinic for a follow up visit. The
patient has a history of ulcerative colitis. The patient states he has been having
"black stools" for the last 24 hours. Which of the following would be the most
complete way for the nurse to document the patient's reason for seeking care? -
