BASIC NURSING SKILLS (BNS) EXAM
2 STUDY GUIDE LATEST 2025
EDITION 100% ACCURATE SOUTH
TEXAS COLLEGE
, Study Guide
EXAM 2
1. Explain how patient’s weight measurements are taken in the healthcare setting.
a. Patients should be weighed at the same time of the day, on the same scale, and in the same type
or amount of clothing to allow an objective comparison of subsequent weighing’s.
i. Measures of taking a patients weight:
1. Standing scale (the pt must stand on the scale plaVorm and remain still)
2. Manual scales (calibrated and set to zero, adjust the scale weight on the balance
beam until the tip of the beam registers in the middle of the mark)
3. Digital scales (readout the display weight in a matter of seconds)
*pts are weighed to give health care provider information for prescribing medication
dosages and to determine nutritional status and water balance.
2. Discuss factors that affect pulse rates and be able to give examples.
a. Age: pulse rate in the older adult is sometimes greater than 80 beats per min because of weakened
heart muscle or because of medication
b. Exercise: short-term exercise increases pulse rate. Long-term exercise strengthens heart muscle,
resulting in lower-than-normal rate at rest and a quicker return to resting rate aker exercise.
c. Fever/heat: both increase the pulse rate because of increased metabolic rate, hypothermia
decreased heart rate.
d. Hemorrhage: loss of blood increases the pulse rate because of the sympathetic stimulation
e. Medications: various medications alter pulse rate. For example, digitalis decreases the pulse rate;
atropine and epinephrine increase the pulse rate
f. Metabolism: certain diseases such as hyperthyroidism sometimes cause a chronic elevated pulse
rate. Hypothyroidism sometimes causes a slowing of the pulse.
g. Postural changes: lying down initially decreases the pulse rate. Standing or siṄng increases pulse
rate.
h. Pulmonary conditions: pulmonary conditions increase pulse rate because these diseases cause
poor oxygenation.
i. Unrelieved severe pain, chronic pain: these decrease the pulse rate because or parasympathetic
stimulation.
3. Describe the volume variations nurses use to describe/document the volume of the pulse.
a. volume of a pulse refers to the amount of blood pushing against the artery wall with each beat.
b. When taking the pulse, note the rate, the rhythm, and the volume, or strength, of the pulse.
c. Pulse volume variations:
Number Type Description
0 Absent pulse None felt
1+ Thread pulse Difficult to feel; not palpable
when only slightly pressure
is applied
2+ Weak pulse Somewhat stronger than a
thready pulse but not
palpable when light
pressure applied
3+ Normal Pulse Easily felt but not palpable
when moderate pressure is
Bounding pulse applied
2 STUDY GUIDE LATEST 2025
EDITION 100% ACCURATE SOUTH
TEXAS COLLEGE
, Study Guide
EXAM 2
1. Explain how patient’s weight measurements are taken in the healthcare setting.
a. Patients should be weighed at the same time of the day, on the same scale, and in the same type
or amount of clothing to allow an objective comparison of subsequent weighing’s.
i. Measures of taking a patients weight:
1. Standing scale (the pt must stand on the scale plaVorm and remain still)
2. Manual scales (calibrated and set to zero, adjust the scale weight on the balance
beam until the tip of the beam registers in the middle of the mark)
3. Digital scales (readout the display weight in a matter of seconds)
*pts are weighed to give health care provider information for prescribing medication
dosages and to determine nutritional status and water balance.
2. Discuss factors that affect pulse rates and be able to give examples.
a. Age: pulse rate in the older adult is sometimes greater than 80 beats per min because of weakened
heart muscle or because of medication
b. Exercise: short-term exercise increases pulse rate. Long-term exercise strengthens heart muscle,
resulting in lower-than-normal rate at rest and a quicker return to resting rate aker exercise.
c. Fever/heat: both increase the pulse rate because of increased metabolic rate, hypothermia
decreased heart rate.
d. Hemorrhage: loss of blood increases the pulse rate because of the sympathetic stimulation
e. Medications: various medications alter pulse rate. For example, digitalis decreases the pulse rate;
atropine and epinephrine increase the pulse rate
f. Metabolism: certain diseases such as hyperthyroidism sometimes cause a chronic elevated pulse
rate. Hypothyroidism sometimes causes a slowing of the pulse.
g. Postural changes: lying down initially decreases the pulse rate. Standing or siṄng increases pulse
rate.
h. Pulmonary conditions: pulmonary conditions increase pulse rate because these diseases cause
poor oxygenation.
i. Unrelieved severe pain, chronic pain: these decrease the pulse rate because or parasympathetic
stimulation.
3. Describe the volume variations nurses use to describe/document the volume of the pulse.
a. volume of a pulse refers to the amount of blood pushing against the artery wall with each beat.
b. When taking the pulse, note the rate, the rhythm, and the volume, or strength, of the pulse.
c. Pulse volume variations:
Number Type Description
0 Absent pulse None felt
1+ Thread pulse Difficult to feel; not palpable
when only slightly pressure
is applied
2+ Weak pulse Somewhat stronger than a
thready pulse but not
palpable when light
pressure applied
3+ Normal Pulse Easily felt but not palpable
when moderate pressure is
Bounding pulse applied
