BSN 205 Vital Signs
Question 1 of 15
The student nurse is learning about vital signs. Which measurements are included in
vital sign assessment?
Pulse
Blood pressure
Respiration rate
Oxygen saturation - answer
Question 2 of 15
The nurse is teaching a student nurse about vital signs. Which patient response shows
teaching has been effective?
"Pain is generally included as a vital sign."
"Oxygen saturation level refers to the act of breathing."
"Respiration is the measurable amount of oxygen available to the tissues."
"Blood pressure is the measurable pressure of blood within the systemic arteries." -
answer"Blood pressure is the measurable pressure of blood within the systemic
arteries."
This statement shows teaching has been effective. Blood pressure is the measurable
pressure of blood within the systemic arteries.
Question 4 of 15
A 21-year-old college football player has been in the hospital 24 hours for observation
following a concussion. His blood pressure (BP) has been stable at 118/62 mm Hg, but
suddenly he complains of a severe headache and his BP is 170/94 mm Hg. The nurse
orders vital sign monitoring with what frequency?
Every 4 hours
Every 8 hours
Every 5 minutes
Once per shift
NOT SURE - answerEvery 5 minutes
This patient has experienced a sudden severe change in condition as evidenced by his
severe headache and vital sign changes. He should have vital signs monitored every 5
minutes and reported to the appropriate health care provider.
In which patients would pulse oximetry most likely be utilized?
Select all that apply.
An older adult with hypoxemia
A patient with community-acquired pneumonia
A pediatric patient whose oxygen saturation is 95% on room air
A teenager having an asthma attack with oxygen saturations of less than 92% in air
, An adult patient in the outpatient clinic who has a history of chronic obstructive
pulmonary disease (COPD) - answerAn older adult with hypoxemia
Pulse oximetry can be invaluable where hypoxemia may be a factor.
A patient with community-acquired pneumonia
Pulse oximetry is often used to assess severity and oxygen requirement in patients with
community-acquired pneumonia.
A teenager having an asthma attack with oxygen saturations of less than 92% in air
Pulse oximetry is often used to grade the severity of an asthma attack where oxygen
saturations are less than 92% in air.
An adult patient in the outpatient clinic who has a history of chronic obstructive
pulmonary disease (COPD)
Pulse oximetry is often used to assess oxygen saturation in COPD patients and can be
done in the hospital, at a clinic, or at home.
Question 5 of 15
The nurse receives a 50-year-old patient back from the endoscopic department. The
patient had conscious sedation for an esophageal biopsy. When should the nurse take
vital signs?
Monitor vital signs every hour.
Assess vital signs once per shift because the patient is awake.
Take vital signs every 4 hours once the patient is fully awake back on the regular floor.
Monitor vital signs every 15 minutes for 1 hour; then if stable, every hour for 2 hours. -
answerMonitor vital signs every 15 minutes for 1 hour; then if stable, every hour for 2
hours.
Monitor vital signs every 15 minutes for 1 hour; then if stable, every hour for 2 hours.
This is a typical protocol for postprocedure patients to assess their return to a stable
status.
Question 6 of 15
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?
This patient only requires a pulse check once a day.
All postoperative patients require monitoring every 2 hours until discharge.
The patient is stable and no longer needs any vital sign monitoring.
Vital signs need to be monitored at the time of morning care and again 1 hour before
transfer.
NOT SURE - answerVital signs need to be monitored at the time of morning care and
again 1 hour before transfer.
Vital signs need to be monitored at the time of morning care and again 1 hour before
transfer to confirm that the patient maintains a stable status and is suitable for transfer
Question 7 of 15
Question 1 of 15
The student nurse is learning about vital signs. Which measurements are included in
vital sign assessment?
Pulse
Blood pressure
Respiration rate
Oxygen saturation - answer
Question 2 of 15
The nurse is teaching a student nurse about vital signs. Which patient response shows
teaching has been effective?
"Pain is generally included as a vital sign."
"Oxygen saturation level refers to the act of breathing."
"Respiration is the measurable amount of oxygen available to the tissues."
"Blood pressure is the measurable pressure of blood within the systemic arteries." -
answer"Blood pressure is the measurable pressure of blood within the systemic
arteries."
This statement shows teaching has been effective. Blood pressure is the measurable
pressure of blood within the systemic arteries.
Question 4 of 15
A 21-year-old college football player has been in the hospital 24 hours for observation
following a concussion. His blood pressure (BP) has been stable at 118/62 mm Hg, but
suddenly he complains of a severe headache and his BP is 170/94 mm Hg. The nurse
orders vital sign monitoring with what frequency?
Every 4 hours
Every 8 hours
Every 5 minutes
Once per shift
NOT SURE - answerEvery 5 minutes
This patient has experienced a sudden severe change in condition as evidenced by his
severe headache and vital sign changes. He should have vital signs monitored every 5
minutes and reported to the appropriate health care provider.
In which patients would pulse oximetry most likely be utilized?
Select all that apply.
An older adult with hypoxemia
A patient with community-acquired pneumonia
A pediatric patient whose oxygen saturation is 95% on room air
A teenager having an asthma attack with oxygen saturations of less than 92% in air
, An adult patient in the outpatient clinic who has a history of chronic obstructive
pulmonary disease (COPD) - answerAn older adult with hypoxemia
Pulse oximetry can be invaluable where hypoxemia may be a factor.
A patient with community-acquired pneumonia
Pulse oximetry is often used to assess severity and oxygen requirement in patients with
community-acquired pneumonia.
A teenager having an asthma attack with oxygen saturations of less than 92% in air
Pulse oximetry is often used to grade the severity of an asthma attack where oxygen
saturations are less than 92% in air.
An adult patient in the outpatient clinic who has a history of chronic obstructive
pulmonary disease (COPD)
Pulse oximetry is often used to assess oxygen saturation in COPD patients and can be
done in the hospital, at a clinic, or at home.
Question 5 of 15
The nurse receives a 50-year-old patient back from the endoscopic department. The
patient had conscious sedation for an esophageal biopsy. When should the nurse take
vital signs?
Monitor vital signs every hour.
Assess vital signs once per shift because the patient is awake.
Take vital signs every 4 hours once the patient is fully awake back on the regular floor.
Monitor vital signs every 15 minutes for 1 hour; then if stable, every hour for 2 hours. -
answerMonitor vital signs every 15 minutes for 1 hour; then if stable, every hour for 2
hours.
Monitor vital signs every 15 minutes for 1 hour; then if stable, every hour for 2 hours.
This is a typical protocol for postprocedure patients to assess their return to a stable
status.
Question 6 of 15
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?
This patient only requires a pulse check once a day.
All postoperative patients require monitoring every 2 hours until discharge.
The patient is stable and no longer needs any vital sign monitoring.
Vital signs need to be monitored at the time of morning care and again 1 hour before
transfer.
NOT SURE - answerVital signs need to be monitored at the time of morning care and
again 1 hour before transfer.
Vital signs need to be monitored at the time of morning care and again 1 hour before
transfer to confirm that the patient maintains a stable status and is suitable for transfer
Question 7 of 15
