NSG 3100 Exam 2 – Fundamental Concepts & Skills for
Nursing Practice I
Galen College of Nursing – 2026/2027 Update
Complete -Question Test Bank | 100% Verified Questions &
Answers | Grade A
SECTION 1: VITAL SIGNS & BLOOD PRESSURE ASSESSMENT
Question 1:
What is considered the normal blood pressure range in adults according to ACC/AHA
2017 guidelines?
A) 130-139/80-89 mm Hg
B) <120/<80 mm Hg
C) ≥140/≥90 mm Hg
D) <120/<60 mm Hg
Answer: B
Rationale: Normal blood pressure is defined as a systolic reading less than 120 mm Hg
and a diastolic reading less than 80 mm Hg. Maintaining BP within this range reduces
cardiovascular strain and prevents end-organ damage.
,Question 2:
What is considered the Hypertensive Stage 1 blood pressure range?
A) 120-129/<80 mm Hg
B) 130-139/80-89 mm Hg
C) ≥140/≥90 mm Hg
D) >180/>120 mm Hg
Answer: B
Rationale: Stage 1 hypertension is defined as systolic 130-139 or diastolic 80-89. Lifestyle
modifications are recommended, and if the patient is at high risk, medication may be
initiated.
Question 3:
A nurse is assessing a patient's blood pressure using a manual sphygmomanometer. The
nurse inflates the cuff to 180 mm Hg, then slowly releases the pressure at a rate of:
A) 1-2 mm Hg per second
B) 2-4 mm Hg per second
C) 5-10 mm Hg per second
D) 10-15 mm Hg per second
Answer: B
Rationale: The cuff should be deflated at a rate of 2-4 mm Hg per second to accurately
detect Korotkoff sounds. Deflating too quickly may miss the systolic reading, while too
slowly causes venous congestion and discomfort.
Question 4:
A nurse is preparing to measure a patient's blood pressure. Which of the following is the
correct procedure?
A) Wrap the cuff snugly over clothing
B) Place the cuff 2-4 inches above the antecubital space
C) Position the patient's arm at heart level
D) Deflate the cuff rapidly after the reading
,Answer: C
Rationale: The arm must be supported at heart level with the palm facing upward. The cuff
should be placed on bare skin, 2.5 cm (1 inch) above the antecubital space, and deflated
slowly for accuracy.
Question 5:
A nurse is assessing a patient's temperature using a tympanic thermometer. Which of
the following is an expected finding for a normal tympanic temperature?
A) 36.0°C (96.8°F)
B) 37.2°C (99.0°F)
C) 38.0°C (100.4°F)
D) 35.0°C (95.0°F)
Answer: B
Rationale: Normal tympanic temperature ranges from 36.4°C to 37.6°C (97.5°F to 99.6°F),
with 37.2°C (99.0°F) being within this range. Tympanic readings are generally 0.5°C (0.9°F)
higher than oral temperatures.
Question 6:
What is the most accurate site for measuring core body temperature?
A) Axillary
B) Oral
C) Tympanic
D) Rectal
Answer: D
Rationale: Rectal temperature is considered the closest approximation of core body
temperature, as it reflects the temperature of deep tissues. Axillary is least accurate, oral
reflects sublingual temperature, and tympanic is close but influenced by cerumen and
positioning.
, Question 7:
A nurse is assessing a patient's oxygen saturation using a pulse oximeter. Which of the
following readings is considered normal?
A) 85%
B) 89%
C) 92%
D) 97%
Answer: D
Rationale: Normal SpO2 is 95-100%. Values below 90% indicate significant hypoxemia
requiring immediate intervention. A reading of 97% is within normal limits and indicates
adequate oxygenation.
Question 8:
A nurse is assessing a patient's respiratory rate. The nurse counts the patient's
respirations for 30 seconds and obtains 12 breaths. The nurse should document the
respiratory rate as:
A) 12 breaths per minute
B) 24 breaths per minute
C) 10 breaths per minute
D) 15 breaths per minute
Answer: B
Rationale: To calculate the respiratory rate, the nurse multiplies the 30-second count by 2.
Since 12 breaths in 30 seconds equals 24 breaths per minute, this is the correct
documentation. Counting for 30 seconds is acceptable if the rhythm is regular.
Question 9:
Which of the following describes the correct technique for counting a patient's apical
pulse?
A) Place the stethoscope at the fifth intercostal space, midclavicular line, and count for
60 seconds
B) Place the stethoscope at the second intercostal space, right sternal border, and count
Nursing Practice I
Galen College of Nursing – 2026/2027 Update
Complete -Question Test Bank | 100% Verified Questions &
Answers | Grade A
SECTION 1: VITAL SIGNS & BLOOD PRESSURE ASSESSMENT
Question 1:
What is considered the normal blood pressure range in adults according to ACC/AHA
2017 guidelines?
A) 130-139/80-89 mm Hg
B) <120/<80 mm Hg
C) ≥140/≥90 mm Hg
D) <120/<60 mm Hg
Answer: B
Rationale: Normal blood pressure is defined as a systolic reading less than 120 mm Hg
and a diastolic reading less than 80 mm Hg. Maintaining BP within this range reduces
cardiovascular strain and prevents end-organ damage.
,Question 2:
What is considered the Hypertensive Stage 1 blood pressure range?
A) 120-129/<80 mm Hg
B) 130-139/80-89 mm Hg
C) ≥140/≥90 mm Hg
D) >180/>120 mm Hg
Answer: B
Rationale: Stage 1 hypertension is defined as systolic 130-139 or diastolic 80-89. Lifestyle
modifications are recommended, and if the patient is at high risk, medication may be
initiated.
Question 3:
A nurse is assessing a patient's blood pressure using a manual sphygmomanometer. The
nurse inflates the cuff to 180 mm Hg, then slowly releases the pressure at a rate of:
A) 1-2 mm Hg per second
B) 2-4 mm Hg per second
C) 5-10 mm Hg per second
D) 10-15 mm Hg per second
Answer: B
Rationale: The cuff should be deflated at a rate of 2-4 mm Hg per second to accurately
detect Korotkoff sounds. Deflating too quickly may miss the systolic reading, while too
slowly causes venous congestion and discomfort.
Question 4:
A nurse is preparing to measure a patient's blood pressure. Which of the following is the
correct procedure?
A) Wrap the cuff snugly over clothing
B) Place the cuff 2-4 inches above the antecubital space
C) Position the patient's arm at heart level
D) Deflate the cuff rapidly after the reading
,Answer: C
Rationale: The arm must be supported at heart level with the palm facing upward. The cuff
should be placed on bare skin, 2.5 cm (1 inch) above the antecubital space, and deflated
slowly for accuracy.
Question 5:
A nurse is assessing a patient's temperature using a tympanic thermometer. Which of
the following is an expected finding for a normal tympanic temperature?
A) 36.0°C (96.8°F)
B) 37.2°C (99.0°F)
C) 38.0°C (100.4°F)
D) 35.0°C (95.0°F)
Answer: B
Rationale: Normal tympanic temperature ranges from 36.4°C to 37.6°C (97.5°F to 99.6°F),
with 37.2°C (99.0°F) being within this range. Tympanic readings are generally 0.5°C (0.9°F)
higher than oral temperatures.
Question 6:
What is the most accurate site for measuring core body temperature?
A) Axillary
B) Oral
C) Tympanic
D) Rectal
Answer: D
Rationale: Rectal temperature is considered the closest approximation of core body
temperature, as it reflects the temperature of deep tissues. Axillary is least accurate, oral
reflects sublingual temperature, and tympanic is close but influenced by cerumen and
positioning.
, Question 7:
A nurse is assessing a patient's oxygen saturation using a pulse oximeter. Which of the
following readings is considered normal?
A) 85%
B) 89%
C) 92%
D) 97%
Answer: D
Rationale: Normal SpO2 is 95-100%. Values below 90% indicate significant hypoxemia
requiring immediate intervention. A reading of 97% is within normal limits and indicates
adequate oxygenation.
Question 8:
A nurse is assessing a patient's respiratory rate. The nurse counts the patient's
respirations for 30 seconds and obtains 12 breaths. The nurse should document the
respiratory rate as:
A) 12 breaths per minute
B) 24 breaths per minute
C) 10 breaths per minute
D) 15 breaths per minute
Answer: B
Rationale: To calculate the respiratory rate, the nurse multiplies the 30-second count by 2.
Since 12 breaths in 30 seconds equals 24 breaths per minute, this is the correct
documentation. Counting for 30 seconds is acceptable if the rhythm is regular.
Question 9:
Which of the following describes the correct technique for counting a patient's apical
pulse?
A) Place the stethoscope at the fifth intercostal space, midclavicular line, and count for
60 seconds
B) Place the stethoscope at the second intercostal space, right sternal border, and count
