NR 224: Fundamentals of Nursing - Vital Signs & Mobility Quiz 2026
|Chamberlain
1. Which part of the brain is responsible for controlling body temperature?
A. Hypothalamus
B. Thalamus
C. Medulla Oblongata
D. Cerebellum
Answer: A
Rationale: The hypothalamus acts as the body’s thermostat, maintaining the set point for
core temperature.
2. A nurse finds a patient’s heart rate to be 110 beats per minute. Which term
best describes this finding?
A. Bradycardia
B. Tachycardia
C. Eupnea
D. Dysrhythmia
Answer: B
Rationale: Tachycardia is defined as an abnormally elevated heart rate, usually above 100
beats per minute in an adult.
,3. When measuring blood pressure, what is the result if the cuff used is too
narrow for the patient’s arm?
A. The reading will be falsely low.
B. The reading will be falsely high.
C. The reading will be accurate if pumped higher.
D. The diastolic pressure will be unaffected.
Answer: B
Rationale: Using a blood pressure cuff that is too small or narrow results in a falsely
elevated blood pressure reading.
4. To assess for a pulse deficit, the nurse should:
A. Measure the radial pulse for 30 seconds and multiply by 2.
B. Measure the carotid pulse and the femoral pulse at the same time.
C. Assess the apical and radial pulses simultaneously with another nurse.
D. Assess the apical pulse after the patient has exercised.
Answer: C
Rationale: A pulse deficit is the difference between the apical and radial pulse rates, ideally
measured simultaneously by two clinicians.
5. Which of the following is a late sign of hypoxia?
A. Restlessness
B. Anxiety
C. Tachycardia
D. Cyanosis
Answer: D
Rationale: Cyanosis (bluish discoloration of the skin and mucous membranes) is a late sign
of hypoxia; restlessness and anxiety are early signs.
, 6. A patient is experiencing orthostatic hypotension. What should the nurse do
first?
A. Return the patient to a supine position.
B. Notify the physician immediately.
C. Administer IV fluids as ordered.
D. Encourage the patient to stand up faster to ‘reset’ their system.
Answer: A
Rationale: If a patient becomes dizzy or faint due to a drop in blood pressure when
moving, the safest immediate action is to return them to a lying position.
7. Which respiratory pattern is characterized by periods of apnea followed by
deep, rapid breathing?
A. Kussmaul’s respirations
B. Cheyne-Stokes respirations
C. Biot’s respirations
D. Bradypnea
Answer: B
Rationale: Cheyne-Stokes respiration is a cycle of breathing that alternates between apnea
and hyperventilation, often seen near death or in heart failure.
8. Where is the apical pulse located in an adult?
A. Second intercostal space, right sternal border.
B. Fourth intercostal space, left sternal border.
C. Fifth intercostal space, left midclavicular line.
D. Fifth intercostal space, midaxillary line.
Answer: C
Rationale: The apical pulse (PMI) is located at the 5th intercostal space at the left
midclavicular line.
|Chamberlain
1. Which part of the brain is responsible for controlling body temperature?
A. Hypothalamus
B. Thalamus
C. Medulla Oblongata
D. Cerebellum
Answer: A
Rationale: The hypothalamus acts as the body’s thermostat, maintaining the set point for
core temperature.
2. A nurse finds a patient’s heart rate to be 110 beats per minute. Which term
best describes this finding?
A. Bradycardia
B. Tachycardia
C. Eupnea
D. Dysrhythmia
Answer: B
Rationale: Tachycardia is defined as an abnormally elevated heart rate, usually above 100
beats per minute in an adult.
,3. When measuring blood pressure, what is the result if the cuff used is too
narrow for the patient’s arm?
A. The reading will be falsely low.
B. The reading will be falsely high.
C. The reading will be accurate if pumped higher.
D. The diastolic pressure will be unaffected.
Answer: B
Rationale: Using a blood pressure cuff that is too small or narrow results in a falsely
elevated blood pressure reading.
4. To assess for a pulse deficit, the nurse should:
A. Measure the radial pulse for 30 seconds and multiply by 2.
B. Measure the carotid pulse and the femoral pulse at the same time.
C. Assess the apical and radial pulses simultaneously with another nurse.
D. Assess the apical pulse after the patient has exercised.
Answer: C
Rationale: A pulse deficit is the difference between the apical and radial pulse rates, ideally
measured simultaneously by two clinicians.
5. Which of the following is a late sign of hypoxia?
A. Restlessness
B. Anxiety
C. Tachycardia
D. Cyanosis
Answer: D
Rationale: Cyanosis (bluish discoloration of the skin and mucous membranes) is a late sign
of hypoxia; restlessness and anxiety are early signs.
, 6. A patient is experiencing orthostatic hypotension. What should the nurse do
first?
A. Return the patient to a supine position.
B. Notify the physician immediately.
C. Administer IV fluids as ordered.
D. Encourage the patient to stand up faster to ‘reset’ their system.
Answer: A
Rationale: If a patient becomes dizzy or faint due to a drop in blood pressure when
moving, the safest immediate action is to return them to a lying position.
7. Which respiratory pattern is characterized by periods of apnea followed by
deep, rapid breathing?
A. Kussmaul’s respirations
B. Cheyne-Stokes respirations
C. Biot’s respirations
D. Bradypnea
Answer: B
Rationale: Cheyne-Stokes respiration is a cycle of breathing that alternates between apnea
and hyperventilation, often seen near death or in heart failure.
8. Where is the apical pulse located in an adult?
A. Second intercostal space, right sternal border.
B. Fourth intercostal space, left sternal border.
C. Fifth intercostal space, left midclavicular line.
D. Fifth intercostal space, midaxillary line.
Answer: C
Rationale: The apical pulse (PMI) is located at the 5th intercostal space at the left
midclavicular line.
