N504 SHERPATH HEALTH ASSESSMENT VITAL SIGNS | COMPREHENSIVE NURSING
STUDY GUIDE, PRACTICE QUESTIONS & ANSWERS 2026/2027
Which temperature, taken rectally, is outside the normal range for a healthy adult?
-97° F
-36.5° C
-37° C
-99° F - ANS ✔✔97° F is below the normal temperature range for a healthy adult.
An increase in body temperature may be an indication of which condition? (select all that apply)
-Hypothermia
-Infection
-Damage to the hypothalamus
-Vasoconstriction
-Inflammation - ANS ✔✔-Infection
Infection can lead to the fever response, causing an increase in body temperature.
-Damage to the hypothalamus
The hypothalamus regulates body temperature; therefore, damage to the hypothalamus can lead to an
increase in body temperature.
-Vasoconstriction
Vasoconstriction causes a decrease in the loss of body temperature, leading to an increase in body
temperature.
Contraction and relaxation of the skeletal muscles result in what temperature-regulating reaction?
-Vasodilation
-Hypothermia
-Pyrexia
-Shivering - ANS ✔✔-Shivering
Shivering results from contraction and relaxation of the skeletal muscles, warming the body.
Which is the best method by which to measure temperature in a 5-month-old patient?
-Digital
- Tympanic
-Oral
-Rectal - ANS ✔✔-Tympanic
Use of a tympanic thermometer is preferred for infants and children
Which reason describes the benefit to using an electric thermometer to measure an adult patient's
temperature?
-Ability to obtain core body temperature
-Quicker to use
-Preferred by patient
-Most reliable to use - ANS ✔✔-Quicker to use
The electric thermometer can accurately measure temperature in less time than other methods.
Which method of temperature measurement is the most reliable?
STUDY GUIDE, PRACTICE QUESTIONS & ANSWERS 2026/2027
Which temperature, taken rectally, is outside the normal range for a healthy adult?
-97° F
-36.5° C
-37° C
-99° F - ANS ✔✔97° F is below the normal temperature range for a healthy adult.
An increase in body temperature may be an indication of which condition? (select all that apply)
-Hypothermia
-Infection
-Damage to the hypothalamus
-Vasoconstriction
-Inflammation - ANS ✔✔-Infection
Infection can lead to the fever response, causing an increase in body temperature.
-Damage to the hypothalamus
The hypothalamus regulates body temperature; therefore, damage to the hypothalamus can lead to an
increase in body temperature.
-Vasoconstriction
Vasoconstriction causes a decrease in the loss of body temperature, leading to an increase in body
temperature.
Contraction and relaxation of the skeletal muscles result in what temperature-regulating reaction?
-Vasodilation
-Hypothermia
-Pyrexia
-Shivering - ANS ✔✔-Shivering
Shivering results from contraction and relaxation of the skeletal muscles, warming the body.
Which is the best method by which to measure temperature in a 5-month-old patient?
-Digital
- Tympanic
-Oral
-Rectal - ANS ✔✔-Tympanic
Use of a tympanic thermometer is preferred for infants and children
Which reason describes the benefit to using an electric thermometer to measure an adult patient's
temperature?
-Ability to obtain core body temperature
-Quicker to use
-Preferred by patient
-Most reliable to use - ANS ✔✔-Quicker to use
The electric thermometer can accurately measure temperature in less time than other methods.
Which method of temperature measurement is the most reliable?
