ATI PN FUNDAMENTALS — EXAM 3 PRACTICE
Vital Signs, Pulse, Respirations & Blood Pressure
1. A nurse is obtaining an oral temperature from a client. Where should the nurse place the
thermometer?
A. Between the cheek and gum
B. Under the tongue in the posterior sublingual pocket
C. On top of the tongue
D. Against the hard palate
Answer: B
2. Which route generally provides the most accurate measurement of a client's core
temperature?
A. Axillary
B. Oral
C. Rectal
D. Temporal
Answer: C
3. A nurse is taking the temperature of a client who just drank a cold beverage. What should the
nurse do?
A. Take the oral temperature immediately.
B. Use the same thermometer rectally.
C. Wait before obtaining the oral temperature.
D. Add 1°F to the temperature reading.
,Answer: C
4. Which client is most likely to have a lower normal body temperature?
A. Infant
B. Young adult
C. Older adult
D. Adolescent
Answer: C
5. A client's pulse is irregular. How long should the nurse count the pulse?
A. 10 seconds
B. 15 seconds
C. 30 seconds
D. 60 seconds
Answer: D
6. A client has a radial pulse of 88/min with an irregular rhythm. Which action should the nurse
take?
A. Count for 15 seconds and multiply by 4.
B. Count for 30 seconds and multiply by 2.
C. Count for a full minute.
D. Document the pulse as regular.
Answer: C
7. Which pulse site is commonly used when assessing an adult's pulse?
A. Radial
B. Popliteal
C. Femoral
D. Apical
Answer: A
, 8. Which pulse should the nurse use when assessing a client's heart rate in a client with an
irregular rhythm?
A. Radial
B. Apical
C. Pedal
D. Carotid
Answer: B
9. A nurse is counting a client's respirations. Which action is appropriate?
A. Tell the client to breathe deeply.
B. Count respirations immediately after assessing the pulse.
C. Tell the client that respirations are being counted.
D. Ask the client to hold their breath.
Answer: B
10. A client's respiratory rate is 8/min. How should the nurse document this finding?
A. Tachypnea
B. Eupnea
C. Bradypnea
D. Apnea
Answer: C
11. A respiratory rate of 28/min in an adult is known as:
A. Bradypnea
B. Tachypnea
C. Apnea
D. Eupnea
Answer: B
Vital Signs, Pulse, Respirations & Blood Pressure
1. A nurse is obtaining an oral temperature from a client. Where should the nurse place the
thermometer?
A. Between the cheek and gum
B. Under the tongue in the posterior sublingual pocket
C. On top of the tongue
D. Against the hard palate
Answer: B
2. Which route generally provides the most accurate measurement of a client's core
temperature?
A. Axillary
B. Oral
C. Rectal
D. Temporal
Answer: C
3. A nurse is taking the temperature of a client who just drank a cold beverage. What should the
nurse do?
A. Take the oral temperature immediately.
B. Use the same thermometer rectally.
C. Wait before obtaining the oral temperature.
D. Add 1°F to the temperature reading.
,Answer: C
4. Which client is most likely to have a lower normal body temperature?
A. Infant
B. Young adult
C. Older adult
D. Adolescent
Answer: C
5. A client's pulse is irregular. How long should the nurse count the pulse?
A. 10 seconds
B. 15 seconds
C. 30 seconds
D. 60 seconds
Answer: D
6. A client has a radial pulse of 88/min with an irregular rhythm. Which action should the nurse
take?
A. Count for 15 seconds and multiply by 4.
B. Count for 30 seconds and multiply by 2.
C. Count for a full minute.
D. Document the pulse as regular.
Answer: C
7. Which pulse site is commonly used when assessing an adult's pulse?
A. Radial
B. Popliteal
C. Femoral
D. Apical
Answer: A
, 8. Which pulse should the nurse use when assessing a client's heart rate in a client with an
irregular rhythm?
A. Radial
B. Apical
C. Pedal
D. Carotid
Answer: B
9. A nurse is counting a client's respirations. Which action is appropriate?
A. Tell the client to breathe deeply.
B. Count respirations immediately after assessing the pulse.
C. Tell the client that respirations are being counted.
D. Ask the client to hold their breath.
Answer: B
10. A client's respiratory rate is 8/min. How should the nurse document this finding?
A. Tachypnea
B. Eupnea
C. Bradypnea
D. Apnea
Answer: C
11. A respiratory rate of 28/min in an adult is known as:
A. Bradypnea
B. Tachypnea
C. Apnea
D. Eupnea
Answer: B
