NURS 5463: Vital Signs and
Cardiovascular Assessment Review –
Chapter 6 Exam Questions on Blood
Pressure, Pulse, and Respiratory
Evaluation Complete Verified
Questions Provided with A+ Graded
Rationales Latest Updated 2026
Which statement best describes blood pressure?
A. Blood pressure identifies the resting heart rate.
B. Blood pressure measures the heart's muscle strength.
C. Blood pressure is a central measurement of blood flow.
D. Blood pressure is a peripheral measurement of cardiovascular function.
D. Blood pressure is a peripheral measurement of cardiovascular function.
Blood pressure is the force of the blood against the wall of an artery as the ventricles of the
heart contract and relax.
At what point during pregnancy would you expect the patient's blood pressure to be at its
lowest point?
A. End of the first trimester
B. Mid-pregnancy
C. Beginning of the third trimester
D. Just before term
B. Mid-pregnancy
During pregnancy, blood pressure commonly decreases beginning at about 8 weeks’ gestation,
gradually falling until a low point is reached at mid-pregnancy.
Other than for use with pediatric patients, when might it be appropriate to use a pediatric
blood pressure cuff?
A. When an adult patient is thin
, B. When the patient is older than 90 years of age
C. When the Korotkoff sounds are inaudible
D. When serial blood pressures are to be taken
A. When an adult patient is thin
Thin adult patients may require the use of a pediatric blood pressure cuff. When a cuff is used
that is too large, blood pressure may be underestimated.
Your patient's arm is too obese to use any blood pressure cuff you have available. What is your
best action?
A. Use the largest cuff you have.
B. Put two cuffs together to measure the blood pressure.
C. Take the blood pressure on the forearm and auscultate the radial artery.
D. Take the blood pressure on the forearm and auscultate the brachial artery.
C. Take the blood pressure on the forearm and auscultate the radial artery.
If the patient has an obese arm, attempt to find a cuff size appropriate for the arm size. If a
sufficiently large cuff is not available, wrap a standard-size cuff around the forearm and
auscultate over the radial artery, which provides the best reading available for the obese
patient.
The radial pulse is most often used as a screening measure that evaluates which factor?
A. Cardiac output
B. Arterial integrity
C. Arterial conductivity
D. Heart rate
D. Heart rate
Pulse rates are best palpated over an artery close to the surface of the body that lies over
bones. The radial pulse is most often used because it the most accessible and least intrusive to
the patient's personal space.
When assessing a patient's respiratory rate, the examiner should do which of the following?
A. Explain to the patient that respirations will be observed for the next minute.
B. Count the number of respirations in 10 seconds and multiply by 6.
C. Observe the rise and fall of the patient's chest.
D. Make sure that the patient is in a supine position.
Cardiovascular Assessment Review –
Chapter 6 Exam Questions on Blood
Pressure, Pulse, and Respiratory
Evaluation Complete Verified
Questions Provided with A+ Graded
Rationales Latest Updated 2026
Which statement best describes blood pressure?
A. Blood pressure identifies the resting heart rate.
B. Blood pressure measures the heart's muscle strength.
C. Blood pressure is a central measurement of blood flow.
D. Blood pressure is a peripheral measurement of cardiovascular function.
D. Blood pressure is a peripheral measurement of cardiovascular function.
Blood pressure is the force of the blood against the wall of an artery as the ventricles of the
heart contract and relax.
At what point during pregnancy would you expect the patient's blood pressure to be at its
lowest point?
A. End of the first trimester
B. Mid-pregnancy
C. Beginning of the third trimester
D. Just before term
B. Mid-pregnancy
During pregnancy, blood pressure commonly decreases beginning at about 8 weeks’ gestation,
gradually falling until a low point is reached at mid-pregnancy.
Other than for use with pediatric patients, when might it be appropriate to use a pediatric
blood pressure cuff?
A. When an adult patient is thin
, B. When the patient is older than 90 years of age
C. When the Korotkoff sounds are inaudible
D. When serial blood pressures are to be taken
A. When an adult patient is thin
Thin adult patients may require the use of a pediatric blood pressure cuff. When a cuff is used
that is too large, blood pressure may be underestimated.
Your patient's arm is too obese to use any blood pressure cuff you have available. What is your
best action?
A. Use the largest cuff you have.
B. Put two cuffs together to measure the blood pressure.
C. Take the blood pressure on the forearm and auscultate the radial artery.
D. Take the blood pressure on the forearm and auscultate the brachial artery.
C. Take the blood pressure on the forearm and auscultate the radial artery.
If the patient has an obese arm, attempt to find a cuff size appropriate for the arm size. If a
sufficiently large cuff is not available, wrap a standard-size cuff around the forearm and
auscultate over the radial artery, which provides the best reading available for the obese
patient.
The radial pulse is most often used as a screening measure that evaluates which factor?
A. Cardiac output
B. Arterial integrity
C. Arterial conductivity
D. Heart rate
D. Heart rate
Pulse rates are best palpated over an artery close to the surface of the body that lies over
bones. The radial pulse is most often used because it the most accessible and least intrusive to
the patient's personal space.
When assessing a patient's respiratory rate, the examiner should do which of the following?
A. Explain to the patient that respirations will be observed for the next minute.
B. Count the number of respirations in 10 seconds and multiply by 6.
C. Observe the rise and fall of the patient's chest.
D. Make sure that the patient is in a supine position.
