NCLEX RN Vital Signs Practice Exam
100 Questions And Correct Answers
(Verified Answers) Plus Rationales
2026
1. A nurse is assessing an adult client's vital signs. Which respiratory rate is
within the expected normal range?
A. 8 breaths/min
B. 12 breaths/min
C. 24 breaths/min
D. 30 breaths/min
Answer: 12 breaths/min
Rationale: A normal adult respiratory rate is generally 12–20 breaths/min. A
rate below 12 may indicate bradypnea, while a rate above 20 indicates
tachypnea.
2. Which finding is considered a normal resting heart rate for an adult?
A. 42 beats/min
B. 58 beats/min
C. 76 beats/min
D. 118 beats/min
Answer: 76 beats/min
Rationale: The expected resting adult heart rate is approximately 60–100
beats/min.
3. A client has an oral temperature of 38.5°C (101.3°F). How should the
nurse interpret this finding?
,A. Hypothermia
B. Normal temperature
C. Fever
D. Bradycardia
Answer: Fever
Rationale: A temperature of 38°C (100.4°F) or higher is generally considered a
fever in adults.
4. Which pulse site is commonly used for routine assessment in an adult?
A. Apical
B. Radial
C. Femoral
D. Popliteal
Answer: Radial
Rationale: The radial pulse is easily accessible at the wrist and is commonly
used for routine adult pulse assessment.
5. Which action should the nurse take before measuring a client's blood
pressure?
A. Ask the client to stand for 5 minutes
B. Have the client sit quietly for several minutes
C. Place the cuff over clothing
D. Have the client exercise for 5 minutes
Answer: Have the client sit quietly for several minutes
Rationale: Resting quietly before measurement helps reduce factors that can
temporarily elevate blood pressure and improves measurement accuracy.
6. The nurse is selecting a blood pressure cuff. Which statement is correct?
A. A cuff that is too small can produce a falsely high reading.
B. A cuff that is too large always produces a falsely high reading.
C. Cuff size does not affect blood pressure readings.
D. The cuff should cover only one-third of the upper arm.
Answer: A cuff that is too small can produce a falsely high reading.
,Rationale: An undersized cuff may produce a falsely elevated blood pressure,
while an oversized cuff may produce a falsely low reading.
7. Which blood pressure reading indicates hypertension requiring further
evaluation in an adult?
A. 88/54 mm Hg
B. 102/64 mm Hg
C. 118/76 mm Hg
D. 168/98 mm Hg
Answer: 168/98 mm Hg
Rationale: A blood pressure of 168/98 mm Hg is significantly elevated and
requires further assessment and appropriate intervention.
8. The nurse notes that a client's pulse is irregular. What is the priority
action?
A. Count the pulse for 15 seconds and multiply by 4.
B. Count the pulse for a full minute.
C. Document the pulse as normal.
D. Immediately administer a prescribed medication.
Answer: Count the pulse for a full minute.
Rationale: An irregular pulse should be counted for a full 60 seconds to obtain
an accurate rate and rhythm.
9. Which factor can cause an increase in body temperature?
A. Exposure to cold
B. Exercise
C. Sleep
D. Aging
Answer: Exercise
Rationale: Physical activity increases metabolic activity and heat production,
which can temporarily increase body temperature.
10.Which client should the nurse assess first?
, A. Client with a temperature of 37.2°C (99°F)
B. Client with a pulse of 76 beats/min
C. Client with a respiratory rate of 8 breaths/min and difficulty awakening
D. Client with a blood pressure of 118/72 mm Hg
Answer: Client with a respiratory rate of 8 breaths/min and difficulty
awakening
Rationale: Bradypnea accompanied by decreased level of consciousness may
indicate respiratory depression and requires immediate assessment.
11.Which artery is auscultated when measuring blood pressure using a
standard upper-arm cuff?
A. Radial artery
B. Carotid artery
C. Brachial artery
D. Femoral artery
Answer: Brachial artery
Rationale: The brachial artery is located in the antecubital area and is the
standard site for auscultating blood pressure in the upper arm.
12.The nurse is measuring an adult client's respiratory rate. Which
technique is most appropriate?
A. Tell the client to breathe normally while being observed.
B. Ask the client to take several deep breaths.
C. Ask the client to hold the breath.
D. Have the client talk continuously during the assessment.
Answer: Tell the client to breathe normally while being observed.
Rationale: Respirations should be assessed while the client breathes naturally
because consciously altering breathing can change the respiratory rate and
pattern.
13.Which finding represents tachycardia in an adult?
A. Pulse of 48 beats/min
B. Pulse of 58 beats/min
100 Questions And Correct Answers
(Verified Answers) Plus Rationales
2026
1. A nurse is assessing an adult client's vital signs. Which respiratory rate is
within the expected normal range?
A. 8 breaths/min
B. 12 breaths/min
C. 24 breaths/min
D. 30 breaths/min
Answer: 12 breaths/min
Rationale: A normal adult respiratory rate is generally 12–20 breaths/min. A
rate below 12 may indicate bradypnea, while a rate above 20 indicates
tachypnea.
2. Which finding is considered a normal resting heart rate for an adult?
A. 42 beats/min
B. 58 beats/min
C. 76 beats/min
D. 118 beats/min
Answer: 76 beats/min
Rationale: The expected resting adult heart rate is approximately 60–100
beats/min.
3. A client has an oral temperature of 38.5°C (101.3°F). How should the
nurse interpret this finding?
,A. Hypothermia
B. Normal temperature
C. Fever
D. Bradycardia
Answer: Fever
Rationale: A temperature of 38°C (100.4°F) or higher is generally considered a
fever in adults.
4. Which pulse site is commonly used for routine assessment in an adult?
A. Apical
B. Radial
C. Femoral
D. Popliteal
Answer: Radial
Rationale: The radial pulse is easily accessible at the wrist and is commonly
used for routine adult pulse assessment.
5. Which action should the nurse take before measuring a client's blood
pressure?
A. Ask the client to stand for 5 minutes
B. Have the client sit quietly for several minutes
C. Place the cuff over clothing
D. Have the client exercise for 5 minutes
Answer: Have the client sit quietly for several minutes
Rationale: Resting quietly before measurement helps reduce factors that can
temporarily elevate blood pressure and improves measurement accuracy.
6. The nurse is selecting a blood pressure cuff. Which statement is correct?
A. A cuff that is too small can produce a falsely high reading.
B. A cuff that is too large always produces a falsely high reading.
C. Cuff size does not affect blood pressure readings.
D. The cuff should cover only one-third of the upper arm.
Answer: A cuff that is too small can produce a falsely high reading.
,Rationale: An undersized cuff may produce a falsely elevated blood pressure,
while an oversized cuff may produce a falsely low reading.
7. Which blood pressure reading indicates hypertension requiring further
evaluation in an adult?
A. 88/54 mm Hg
B. 102/64 mm Hg
C. 118/76 mm Hg
D. 168/98 mm Hg
Answer: 168/98 mm Hg
Rationale: A blood pressure of 168/98 mm Hg is significantly elevated and
requires further assessment and appropriate intervention.
8. The nurse notes that a client's pulse is irregular. What is the priority
action?
A. Count the pulse for 15 seconds and multiply by 4.
B. Count the pulse for a full minute.
C. Document the pulse as normal.
D. Immediately administer a prescribed medication.
Answer: Count the pulse for a full minute.
Rationale: An irregular pulse should be counted for a full 60 seconds to obtain
an accurate rate and rhythm.
9. Which factor can cause an increase in body temperature?
A. Exposure to cold
B. Exercise
C. Sleep
D. Aging
Answer: Exercise
Rationale: Physical activity increases metabolic activity and heat production,
which can temporarily increase body temperature.
10.Which client should the nurse assess first?
, A. Client with a temperature of 37.2°C (99°F)
B. Client with a pulse of 76 beats/min
C. Client with a respiratory rate of 8 breaths/min and difficulty awakening
D. Client with a blood pressure of 118/72 mm Hg
Answer: Client with a respiratory rate of 8 breaths/min and difficulty
awakening
Rationale: Bradypnea accompanied by decreased level of consciousness may
indicate respiratory depression and requires immediate assessment.
11.Which artery is auscultated when measuring blood pressure using a
standard upper-arm cuff?
A. Radial artery
B. Carotid artery
C. Brachial artery
D. Femoral artery
Answer: Brachial artery
Rationale: The brachial artery is located in the antecubital area and is the
standard site for auscultating blood pressure in the upper arm.
12.The nurse is measuring an adult client's respiratory rate. Which
technique is most appropriate?
A. Tell the client to breathe normally while being observed.
B. Ask the client to take several deep breaths.
C. Ask the client to hold the breath.
D. Have the client talk continuously during the assessment.
Answer: Tell the client to breathe normally while being observed.
Rationale: Respirations should be assessed while the client breathes naturally
because consciously altering breathing can change the respiratory rate and
pattern.
13.Which finding represents tachycardia in an adult?
A. Pulse of 48 beats/min
B. Pulse of 58 beats/min
