Galen NSG 3100 Exam 2 | Fundamental Concepts
& Skills I (2026) Actual Q&A PDF
1. Which statement accurately describes the primary purpose of obtaining
vital signs?
A) To diagnose specific diseases based on vital sign patterns
B) To monitor the function of body systems and detect changes
C) To prescribe medications for underlying health conditions
D) To evaluate the patient's nutritional and hydration status
Correct Answer: To monitor the function of body systems and detect
changes
Rationale: Vital signs provide objective data on the function of the
cardiovascular, respiratory, and thermoregulatory systems. They are used
to detect changes in a patient's condition, guide clinical decisions, and
evaluate responses to treatment. They are not diagnostic tools, nor are
they used to prescribe medications or evaluate nutritional status.
2. A nurse is preparing to take an adult patient's temperature orally. What
is the normal expected range for this route?
A) 96.8°F to 98.6°F (36°C to 37°C)
B) 97.8°F to 99.1°F (36.5°C to 37.3°C)
C) 98.6°F to 100.4°F (37°C to 38°C)
D) 95.0°F to 96.8°F (35°C to 36°C)
Correct Answer: 96.8°F to 98.6°F (36°C to 37°C)
Rationale: The normal oral temperature for an adult is generally
considered to be 96.8°F to 98.6°F (36°C to 37°C), though it can vary
slightly based on individual baseline and time of day. Temperatures
,outside this range may indicate fever or hypothermia and warrant further
assessment.
3. A patient's blood pressure is 142/88 mm Hg. According to current
guidelines, how should this be classified?
A) Normal
B) Elevated
C) Stage 1 hypertension
D) Stage 2 hypertension
Correct Answer: Stage 1 hypertension
Rationale: Stage 1 hypertension is defined as a systolic blood pressure of
130-139 mm Hg or a diastolic blood pressure of 80-89 mm Hg. A reading
of 142/88 mm Hg meets the systolic criteria for Stage 1 hypertension and
requires follow-up and lifestyle modifications or medication.
4. A nurse assesses a patient's radial pulse and notes an irregular rhythm
with beats occurring at varying intervals. How should the nurse document
this finding?
A) Bounding pulse
B) Thready pulse
C) Irregularly irregular
D) Weak and thready
Correct Answer: Irregularly irregular
Rationale: An irregularly irregular pulse rhythm, where beats occur at
varying intervals without a predictable pattern, is often associated with
atrial fibrillation and should be documented accurately. Bounding and
thready describe pulse amplitude, not rhythm, and weak/thready
describes quality, not regularity.
,5. What is the correct technique for measuring a radial pulse?
A) Use the thumb to palpate the pulse
B) Count the pulse for 15 seconds and multiply by 4
C) Use the index and middle fingers to palpate
D) Measure the pulse only during physical exercise
Correct Answer: Use the index and middle fingers to palpate
Rationale: The index and middle fingers are used to palpate a radial
pulse to avoid interference from the nurse's own pulse, which can be felt
with the thumb. Counting for 15 seconds may be appropriate for regular
rhythms but is not the primary technique for palpation.
6. A patient has a temperature of 39°C (102.2°F) that spikes above normal
but consistently returns to the normal range. How should the nurse
document this fever pattern?
A) Intermittent fever
B) Remittent fever
C) Relapsing fever
D) Sustained fever
Correct Answer: Intermittent fever
Rationale: An intermittent fever is characterized by a temperature that
spikes above normal at some point during the day but consistently returns
to the normal baseline range. This pattern is distinct from remittent fever
(fluctuates but never returns to normal), relapsing (periods of fever
separated by normal temperatures), and sustained (continuously elevated
with minimal fluctuation).
7. A nurse is caring for a postoperative patient who develops a fever that
remains consistently elevated with minimal fluctuations (less than 1°C).
Which fever pattern is the patient exhibiting?
, A) Intermittent
B) Remittent
C) Relapsing
D) Sustained
Correct Answer: Sustained
Rationale: A sustained fever is defined as a temperature that remains
consistently above normal with fluctuations of less than 1°C (1.8°F) over a
24-hour period. This pattern is often seen in serious infections and
requires prompt evaluation.
8. A patient with a known history of chronic alcohol abuse is admitted.
Which route should the nurse anticipate will yield the most accurate core
body temperature for this patient?
A) Oral
B) Tympanic
C) Rectal
D) Axillary
Correct Answer: Rectal
Rationale: Rectal temperatures are considered the most accurate
estimation of core body temperature, particularly in patients whose oral
mucosa may be affected by conditions like chronic alcohol abuse or mouth
breathing. Oral temperatures can be falsely low in these patients.
9. A nurse is assessing a patient's temperature via a temporal artery
scanner. Which factor will most likely cause a falsely low reading?
A) The patient just drank a cup of hot coffee
B) The patient has a localized infection on the forehead
C) The patient has been exposed to a cool environment
& Skills I (2026) Actual Q&A PDF
1. Which statement accurately describes the primary purpose of obtaining
vital signs?
A) To diagnose specific diseases based on vital sign patterns
B) To monitor the function of body systems and detect changes
C) To prescribe medications for underlying health conditions
D) To evaluate the patient's nutritional and hydration status
Correct Answer: To monitor the function of body systems and detect
changes
Rationale: Vital signs provide objective data on the function of the
cardiovascular, respiratory, and thermoregulatory systems. They are used
to detect changes in a patient's condition, guide clinical decisions, and
evaluate responses to treatment. They are not diagnostic tools, nor are
they used to prescribe medications or evaluate nutritional status.
2. A nurse is preparing to take an adult patient's temperature orally. What
is the normal expected range for this route?
A) 96.8°F to 98.6°F (36°C to 37°C)
B) 97.8°F to 99.1°F (36.5°C to 37.3°C)
C) 98.6°F to 100.4°F (37°C to 38°C)
D) 95.0°F to 96.8°F (35°C to 36°C)
Correct Answer: 96.8°F to 98.6°F (36°C to 37°C)
Rationale: The normal oral temperature for an adult is generally
considered to be 96.8°F to 98.6°F (36°C to 37°C), though it can vary
slightly based on individual baseline and time of day. Temperatures
,outside this range may indicate fever or hypothermia and warrant further
assessment.
3. A patient's blood pressure is 142/88 mm Hg. According to current
guidelines, how should this be classified?
A) Normal
B) Elevated
C) Stage 1 hypertension
D) Stage 2 hypertension
Correct Answer: Stage 1 hypertension
Rationale: Stage 1 hypertension is defined as a systolic blood pressure of
130-139 mm Hg or a diastolic blood pressure of 80-89 mm Hg. A reading
of 142/88 mm Hg meets the systolic criteria for Stage 1 hypertension and
requires follow-up and lifestyle modifications or medication.
4. A nurse assesses a patient's radial pulse and notes an irregular rhythm
with beats occurring at varying intervals. How should the nurse document
this finding?
A) Bounding pulse
B) Thready pulse
C) Irregularly irregular
D) Weak and thready
Correct Answer: Irregularly irregular
Rationale: An irregularly irregular pulse rhythm, where beats occur at
varying intervals without a predictable pattern, is often associated with
atrial fibrillation and should be documented accurately. Bounding and
thready describe pulse amplitude, not rhythm, and weak/thready
describes quality, not regularity.
,5. What is the correct technique for measuring a radial pulse?
A) Use the thumb to palpate the pulse
B) Count the pulse for 15 seconds and multiply by 4
C) Use the index and middle fingers to palpate
D) Measure the pulse only during physical exercise
Correct Answer: Use the index and middle fingers to palpate
Rationale: The index and middle fingers are used to palpate a radial
pulse to avoid interference from the nurse's own pulse, which can be felt
with the thumb. Counting for 15 seconds may be appropriate for regular
rhythms but is not the primary technique for palpation.
6. A patient has a temperature of 39°C (102.2°F) that spikes above normal
but consistently returns to the normal range. How should the nurse
document this fever pattern?
A) Intermittent fever
B) Remittent fever
C) Relapsing fever
D) Sustained fever
Correct Answer: Intermittent fever
Rationale: An intermittent fever is characterized by a temperature that
spikes above normal at some point during the day but consistently returns
to the normal baseline range. This pattern is distinct from remittent fever
(fluctuates but never returns to normal), relapsing (periods of fever
separated by normal temperatures), and sustained (continuously elevated
with minimal fluctuation).
7. A nurse is caring for a postoperative patient who develops a fever that
remains consistently elevated with minimal fluctuations (less than 1°C).
Which fever pattern is the patient exhibiting?
, A) Intermittent
B) Remittent
C) Relapsing
D) Sustained
Correct Answer: Sustained
Rationale: A sustained fever is defined as a temperature that remains
consistently above normal with fluctuations of less than 1°C (1.8°F) over a
24-hour period. This pattern is often seen in serious infections and
requires prompt evaluation.
8. A patient with a known history of chronic alcohol abuse is admitted.
Which route should the nurse anticipate will yield the most accurate core
body temperature for this patient?
A) Oral
B) Tympanic
C) Rectal
D) Axillary
Correct Answer: Rectal
Rationale: Rectal temperatures are considered the most accurate
estimation of core body temperature, particularly in patients whose oral
mucosa may be affected by conditions like chronic alcohol abuse or mouth
breathing. Oral temperatures can be falsely low in these patients.
9. A nurse is assessing a patient's temperature via a temporal artery
scanner. Which factor will most likely cause a falsely low reading?
A) The patient just drank a cup of hot coffee
B) The patient has a localized infection on the forehead
C) The patient has been exposed to a cool environment
