NSG 3100 Exam 2 Fundamentals Concepts
and Skills for Nursing Practice Test Bank -
200 Verified Questions with Answers and
Detailed Rationales for 2026/2027 Exam
Success
VITAL SIGNS & ASSESSMENT (Questions 1-
25)
1. A client's temperature at 8:00 AM using
an oral electronic thermometer is 36.1°C
(97.2°F). If respirations, pulse, and blood
pressure are within normal range, what
should the nurse do next?
• A) Wait 15 minutes and retake it.
• B) Check what the client's temperature
was the last time it was taken.
, • C) Retake it using a different
thermometer.
• D) Chart the temperature; it is normal.
Rationale: Although the temperature is
slightly lower than expected for the
morning, it is best to determine the client's
previous temperature range first. This may
be a normal range for this client.
2. Which client meets the criteria for
selection of the apical site for assessment
of the pulse rather than a radial pulse?
• A) A client who is in shock
• B) A client whose pulse changes with
body position changes
• C) A client with an arrhythmia
, • D) A client who had surgery less than 24
hours ago
Rationale: The apical rate confirms the rate
and determines the actual cardiac rhythm
for a client with an abnormal rhythm; a
radial pulse would only reveal the heart rate
and suggest an arrhythmia.
3. A nurse is assessing a client who reports
dizziness upon standing. The client's supine
blood pressure is 138/84 mm Hg, and the
standing blood pressure is 106/68 mm Hg.
Which condition should the nurse
document?
• A) Orthostatic hypotension
• B) Essential hypertension
• C) Syncope
, • D) Postural tachycardia
Rationale: Orthostatic hypotension is
defined as a drop in systolic BP of at least 20
mm Hg or a drop in diastolic BP of at least
10 mm Hg upon standing. This client's
systolic BP dropped by 32 mm Hg, meeting
the criteria.
4. What is considered the normal blood
pressure range?
• A) 130-139/80-89
• B) <120/<80
• C) ≥140/≥90
• D) <120/<60
Rationale: Normal blood pressure,
according to ACC/AHA 2017 guidelines, is
defined as a systolic reading less than 120
and Skills for Nursing Practice Test Bank -
200 Verified Questions with Answers and
Detailed Rationales for 2026/2027 Exam
Success
VITAL SIGNS & ASSESSMENT (Questions 1-
25)
1. A client's temperature at 8:00 AM using
an oral electronic thermometer is 36.1°C
(97.2°F). If respirations, pulse, and blood
pressure are within normal range, what
should the nurse do next?
• A) Wait 15 minutes and retake it.
• B) Check what the client's temperature
was the last time it was taken.
, • C) Retake it using a different
thermometer.
• D) Chart the temperature; it is normal.
Rationale: Although the temperature is
slightly lower than expected for the
morning, it is best to determine the client's
previous temperature range first. This may
be a normal range for this client.
2. Which client meets the criteria for
selection of the apical site for assessment
of the pulse rather than a radial pulse?
• A) A client who is in shock
• B) A client whose pulse changes with
body position changes
• C) A client with an arrhythmia
, • D) A client who had surgery less than 24
hours ago
Rationale: The apical rate confirms the rate
and determines the actual cardiac rhythm
for a client with an abnormal rhythm; a
radial pulse would only reveal the heart rate
and suggest an arrhythmia.
3. A nurse is assessing a client who reports
dizziness upon standing. The client's supine
blood pressure is 138/84 mm Hg, and the
standing blood pressure is 106/68 mm Hg.
Which condition should the nurse
document?
• A) Orthostatic hypotension
• B) Essential hypertension
• C) Syncope
, • D) Postural tachycardia
Rationale: Orthostatic hypotension is
defined as a drop in systolic BP of at least 20
mm Hg or a drop in diastolic BP of at least
10 mm Hg upon standing. This client's
systolic BP dropped by 32 mm Hg, meeting
the criteria.
4. What is considered the normal blood
pressure range?
• A) 130-139/80-89
• B) <120/<80
• C) ≥140/≥90
• D) <120/<60
Rationale: Normal blood pressure,
according to ACC/AHA 2017 guidelines, is
defined as a systolic reading less than 120
