2026 Edition Vital Signs Assessment Exam
questions and verified answers with
rationales
1. Which body temperature site is generally considered the
most accurate indicator of core body temperature in adults?
A. Axillary
B. Oral
C. Tympanic
D. Rectal
Answer: D. Rectal
Rationale: Rectal temperature most closely reflects core body
temperature and is often used when precise measurement is
required.
2. The normal adult oral body temperature range is:
A. 34.0–35.5°C
B. 35.5–36.0°C
C. 36.5–37.5°C
D. 38.5–39.5°C
Answer: C. 36.5–37.5°C
Rationale: A normal oral temperature in healthy adults
generally ranges from 36.5°C to 37.5°C.
,3. Which factor is most likely to increase body temperature?
A. Sleep
B. Vigorous exercise
C. Exposure to cold
D. Fasting
Answer: B. Vigorous exercise
Rationale: Physical activity increases metabolic activity,
resulting in increased heat production.
4. Which pulse site is routinely assessed during adult vital
signs measurement?
A. Temporal
B. Carotid
C. Radial
D. Femoral
Answer: C. Radial
Rationale: The radial artery is easily accessible and commonly
used for routine pulse assessment.
5. A normal resting pulse rate for a healthy adult is:
A. 40–60 beats/minute
B. 60–100 beats/minute
C. 100–120 beats/minute
D. 120–140 beats/minute
,Answer: B. 60–100 beats/minute
Rationale: The accepted normal resting pulse range for adults
is 60–100 beats per minute.
6. Tachycardia refers to a pulse rate:
A. Below 60 beats/minute
B. Above 100 beats/minute
C. Below 40 beats/minute
D. Equal to 60 beats/minute
Answer: B. Above 100 beats/minute
Rationale: Tachycardia is defined as a resting heart rate
exceeding 100 beats per minute in adults.
7. Bradycardia refers to a pulse rate:
A. Below 60 beats/minute
B. Above 80 beats/minute
C. Above 100 beats/minute
D. Equal to 70 beats/minute
Answer: A. Below 60 beats/minute
Rationale: Bradycardia is defined as a resting heart rate
below 60 beats per minute in adults.
8. The normal resting respiratory rate for adults is:
, A. 6–10 breaths/minute
B. 12–20 breaths/minute
C. 22–30 breaths/minute
D. 30–40 breaths/minute
Answer: B. 12–20 breaths/minute
Rationale: Healthy adults normally breathe between 12 and
20 times per minute.
9. Which breathing pattern is characterised by rapid
breathing?
A. Apnoea
B. Bradypnoea
C. Tachypnoea
D. Dyspnoea
Answer: C. Tachypnoea
Rationale: Tachypnoea refers to an increased respiratory rate
above the normal range.
10. Blood pressure measures:
A. Blood sugar concentration
B. Force exerted by blood against arterial walls
C. Oxygen concentration in blood
D. Blood viscosity
Answer: B. Force exerted by blood against arterial walls
questions and verified answers with
rationales
1. Which body temperature site is generally considered the
most accurate indicator of core body temperature in adults?
A. Axillary
B. Oral
C. Tympanic
D. Rectal
Answer: D. Rectal
Rationale: Rectal temperature most closely reflects core body
temperature and is often used when precise measurement is
required.
2. The normal adult oral body temperature range is:
A. 34.0–35.5°C
B. 35.5–36.0°C
C. 36.5–37.5°C
D. 38.5–39.5°C
Answer: C. 36.5–37.5°C
Rationale: A normal oral temperature in healthy adults
generally ranges from 36.5°C to 37.5°C.
,3. Which factor is most likely to increase body temperature?
A. Sleep
B. Vigorous exercise
C. Exposure to cold
D. Fasting
Answer: B. Vigorous exercise
Rationale: Physical activity increases metabolic activity,
resulting in increased heat production.
4. Which pulse site is routinely assessed during adult vital
signs measurement?
A. Temporal
B. Carotid
C. Radial
D. Femoral
Answer: C. Radial
Rationale: The radial artery is easily accessible and commonly
used for routine pulse assessment.
5. A normal resting pulse rate for a healthy adult is:
A. 40–60 beats/minute
B. 60–100 beats/minute
C. 100–120 beats/minute
D. 120–140 beats/minute
,Answer: B. 60–100 beats/minute
Rationale: The accepted normal resting pulse range for adults
is 60–100 beats per minute.
6. Tachycardia refers to a pulse rate:
A. Below 60 beats/minute
B. Above 100 beats/minute
C. Below 40 beats/minute
D. Equal to 60 beats/minute
Answer: B. Above 100 beats/minute
Rationale: Tachycardia is defined as a resting heart rate
exceeding 100 beats per minute in adults.
7. Bradycardia refers to a pulse rate:
A. Below 60 beats/minute
B. Above 80 beats/minute
C. Above 100 beats/minute
D. Equal to 70 beats/minute
Answer: A. Below 60 beats/minute
Rationale: Bradycardia is defined as a resting heart rate
below 60 beats per minute in adults.
8. The normal resting respiratory rate for adults is:
, A. 6–10 breaths/minute
B. 12–20 breaths/minute
C. 22–30 breaths/minute
D. 30–40 breaths/minute
Answer: B. 12–20 breaths/minute
Rationale: Healthy adults normally breathe between 12 and
20 times per minute.
9. Which breathing pattern is characterised by rapid
breathing?
A. Apnoea
B. Bradypnoea
C. Tachypnoea
D. Dyspnoea
Answer: C. Tachypnoea
Rationale: Tachypnoea refers to an increased respiratory rate
above the normal range.
10. Blood pressure measures:
A. Blood sugar concentration
B. Force exerted by blood against arterial walls
C. Oxygen concentration in blood
D. Blood viscosity
Answer: B. Force exerted by blood against arterial walls
