Sherpath Overview of vital signs UPDATED
ACTUAL Questions and CORRECT
Answers
a, b, d, e - CORRECT ANSWER - In which patients would pulse oximetry most likely be utilized?
a. An older adult with hypoxemia
b. A patient with community-acquired pneumonia
c. A pediatric patient whose oxygen saturation is 95% on room air
d. A teenager having an asthma attack with oxygen saturations of less than 92% in air
e. An adult patient in the outpatient clinic who has a history of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease
(COPD)
Vital signs need to be monitored at the time of morning care and again 1 hour before transfer. -
CORRECT ANSWER - An 82-year-old patient is 2 days postoperative with right hip replacement.
The patient has comorbidities of hypertension, atrial fibrillation, and type 2 diabetes. The patient is
scheduled for transfer to a rehab unit later today. Vital signs have been stable since surgery. How often
should the patient's vital signs be monitored?
a. This patient only requires a pulse check once a day.
b. All postoperative patients require monitoring every 2 hours until discharge.
c. The patient is stable and no longer needs any vital sign monitoring.
d. Vital signs need to be monitored at the time of morning care and again 1 hour before transfer.
Assess the patient. - CORRECT ANSWER - A 35-year-old woman delivered a 9 lb, 7 oz baby boy
24 hours ago via cesarean section. Her vital signs were stable, pulse 74 bpm and temperature 99°F, 4
hours ago. The unlicensed assistive personnel (UAP) reports to the nurse that this patient's pulse is now
100 bpm, her temperature is 101.8°F, and she is complaining of chills. The room temperature is 73°F. The
nurse interprets the data and takes which action?
a. Assess the patient.
b. Direct the patient to take a shower to freshen up.
c. Advise the UAP to wait 1 hour and repeat vital sign measurement.
d. Notify the maintenance department to increase the room temperature.
, b, c, e - CORRECT ANSWER - The nurse is ready to give a 60-year-old patient the daily cardiac
medication. The certified nursing assistant (CNA) reports that the patient's vital signs are pulse 42 bpm,
blood pressure 148/86 mm Hg, and respirations 20 bpm. What interpretation will the nurse make?
a. Call a code for this patient.
b. Withhold the cardiac medication
c. Recheck the patient's vital signs.
d. Administer the cardiac medication to the patient.
e. Compare the current vital signs with this patient's baseline data.
a, b, c, d - CORRECT ANSWER - A 6-year-old child is carried into the emergency department
(ED) by the mother. The child has a history of asthma and is gasping for breath and wheezing. The child's
vital signs are respirations 30 bpm, pulse 120 bpm, SpO292%, and BP 90/50 mm Hg. The nurse takes
which actions?
a. Obtain oxygen saturation measurement.
b. Call for the appropriate care provider to quickly evaluate.
c. Ask the mother for a medical history, including any medications.
d. Initiate standing protocols for childhood asthma until the appropriate care provider arrives.
e. Explain to the mother that the ED is very busy and to have a seat in the waiting room with the child.
a, b, c, e - CORRECT ANSWER - The charge nurse in an assisted living community has just
arrived for the evening shift. During report, the nurse is told a long-time resident fell in the patient's room
2 hours ago. The day nurse contacted the primary care provider, who ordered the patient to be observed
unless the patient complains of severe pain. The charge nurse is making the shift assignment for the
unlicensed assistive personnel (UAP) this evening. Which parameters will the charge nurse consider when
assigning the UAP this evening?
a. UAP obtain vital sign assessments of stable patients.
b. The patient is fully conscious and aware of surroundings.
c. The patient has had a continuous drop in blood pressure since the fall.
d. The charge nurse is busy with paperwork and will assess the patient after the evening meal is served.
e. The patient asks to have the UAP provide patient care because the UAP and the patient have a good
relationship.
ACTUAL Questions and CORRECT
Answers
a, b, d, e - CORRECT ANSWER - In which patients would pulse oximetry most likely be utilized?
a. An older adult with hypoxemia
b. A patient with community-acquired pneumonia
c. A pediatric patient whose oxygen saturation is 95% on room air
d. A teenager having an asthma attack with oxygen saturations of less than 92% in air
e. An adult patient in the outpatient clinic who has a history of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease
(COPD)
Vital signs need to be monitored at the time of morning care and again 1 hour before transfer. -
CORRECT ANSWER - An 82-year-old patient is 2 days postoperative with right hip replacement.
The patient has comorbidities of hypertension, atrial fibrillation, and type 2 diabetes. The patient is
scheduled for transfer to a rehab unit later today. Vital signs have been stable since surgery. How often
should the patient's vital signs be monitored?
a. This patient only requires a pulse check once a day.
b. All postoperative patients require monitoring every 2 hours until discharge.
c. The patient is stable and no longer needs any vital sign monitoring.
d. Vital signs need to be monitored at the time of morning care and again 1 hour before transfer.
Assess the patient. - CORRECT ANSWER - A 35-year-old woman delivered a 9 lb, 7 oz baby boy
24 hours ago via cesarean section. Her vital signs were stable, pulse 74 bpm and temperature 99°F, 4
hours ago. The unlicensed assistive personnel (UAP) reports to the nurse that this patient's pulse is now
100 bpm, her temperature is 101.8°F, and she is complaining of chills. The room temperature is 73°F. The
nurse interprets the data and takes which action?
a. Assess the patient.
b. Direct the patient to take a shower to freshen up.
c. Advise the UAP to wait 1 hour and repeat vital sign measurement.
d. Notify the maintenance department to increase the room temperature.
, b, c, e - CORRECT ANSWER - The nurse is ready to give a 60-year-old patient the daily cardiac
medication. The certified nursing assistant (CNA) reports that the patient's vital signs are pulse 42 bpm,
blood pressure 148/86 mm Hg, and respirations 20 bpm. What interpretation will the nurse make?
a. Call a code for this patient.
b. Withhold the cardiac medication
c. Recheck the patient's vital signs.
d. Administer the cardiac medication to the patient.
e. Compare the current vital signs with this patient's baseline data.
a, b, c, d - CORRECT ANSWER - A 6-year-old child is carried into the emergency department
(ED) by the mother. The child has a history of asthma and is gasping for breath and wheezing. The child's
vital signs are respirations 30 bpm, pulse 120 bpm, SpO292%, and BP 90/50 mm Hg. The nurse takes
which actions?
a. Obtain oxygen saturation measurement.
b. Call for the appropriate care provider to quickly evaluate.
c. Ask the mother for a medical history, including any medications.
d. Initiate standing protocols for childhood asthma until the appropriate care provider arrives.
e. Explain to the mother that the ED is very busy and to have a seat in the waiting room with the child.
a, b, c, e - CORRECT ANSWER - The charge nurse in an assisted living community has just
arrived for the evening shift. During report, the nurse is told a long-time resident fell in the patient's room
2 hours ago. The day nurse contacted the primary care provider, who ordered the patient to be observed
unless the patient complains of severe pain. The charge nurse is making the shift assignment for the
unlicensed assistive personnel (UAP) this evening. Which parameters will the charge nurse consider when
assigning the UAP this evening?
a. UAP obtain vital sign assessments of stable patients.
b. The patient is fully conscious and aware of surroundings.
c. The patient has had a continuous drop in blood pressure since the fall.
d. The charge nurse is busy with paperwork and will assess the patient after the evening meal is served.
e. The patient asks to have the UAP provide patient care because the UAP and the patient have a good
relationship.
