ATI - Vital Signs Pretest Questions with Correct Answers 100% Verified| Guaranteed Success
You are preparing to use a tympanic thermometer. Which of the following steps has the highest
priority in the accurate use of this piece of equipment for measuring body temperature?
A. Replacing the thermometer in its charger
B. Assessing the external ear for redness
C. Gently pulling the pinna back and upward
D. Attaching the disposable probe cover C. Gently pulling the pinna back and upward
This position helps straighten the ear canal and provides optimal access to the tympanic
membrane. Good contact with sufficient tympanic membrane is essential for an accurate
tympanic temperature measurement.
When preparing to measure the vital signs of a patient, you should recognize that which of the
following will affect the methods that you will use? -Patient is 60 pounds overweight
It is likely that a patient who is 60 pounds (27.3 kilograms) overweight would have a larger-
than-average upper-arm circumference. If so, you would have to use a large blood-pressure cuff
(instead of a regular-sized cuff) to assure an accurate blood-pressure reading.
-Patient is reporting a "stuffy" nose
A patient who has nasal congestion might resort to "mouth breathing," which would alter a
temperature measurement obtained orally. This condition would also require that you assess
the patient's respiration for a full 60 seconds.
-Patient is taking digoxin (Lanoxin)
The presence of a cardiovascular problem that warrants pharmacological digoxin therapy would
require that you assess the patient's apical pulse for a full 60 seconds.
-The patient had a mastectomy 2 years ago
Lymphatic drainage might be altered in the affected arm post mastectomy. The application of
pressure from the assessment of blood pressure could result in a painful condition called
lymphedema.
, You are assessing the vital signs of a newly admitted patient. To establish an accurate baseline
of the patient's respiration, you
A. instruct the patient to breathe in and to exhale out as he would normally
B. make the patient physically comfortable before beginning the assessment
C. determine if the patient has a history of any chronic respiratory problems
D. observe the patient's chest movements while appearing to assess his pulse D. observe the
patient's chest movements while appearing to assess his pulse
You are most likely to observe the true respiratory pattern (rate, rhythm, and depth) when the
patient is unaware that he is being assessed. When patients know their respiration is being
observed, it is common for them to alter their respiratory pattern either voluntarily or
involuntarily.
The best way to determine the depth of a patient's respiration is to
A. observe the degree of chest-wall movement during inspiration and expiration
B. count how many breathing cycles you observe per minute
C. notice whether or not expiration takes longer than inspiration
D. measure the precise amount of air the patient takes in and breathes out A. observe the
degree of chest-wall movement during inspiration and expiration
You determine the depth of respiration subjectively by evaluating how much chest-wall
movement you can observe. The movement is generated by the movements of the diaphragm
and intercostal muscles as the patient breathes. With shallow respiration, for example, you will
observe very little movement. Deep respiration involves full expansion of the lungs, which is
usually quite visible.
You are preparing to use a tympanic thermometer. Which of the following steps has the highest
priority in the accurate use of this piece of equipment for measuring body temperature?
A. Replacing the thermometer in its charger
B. Assessing the external ear for redness
C. Gently pulling the pinna back and upward
D. Attaching the disposable probe cover C. Gently pulling the pinna back and upward
This position helps straighten the ear canal and provides optimal access to the tympanic
membrane. Good contact with sufficient tympanic membrane is essential for an accurate
tympanic temperature measurement.
When preparing to measure the vital signs of a patient, you should recognize that which of the
following will affect the methods that you will use? -Patient is 60 pounds overweight
It is likely that a patient who is 60 pounds (27.3 kilograms) overweight would have a larger-
than-average upper-arm circumference. If so, you would have to use a large blood-pressure cuff
(instead of a regular-sized cuff) to assure an accurate blood-pressure reading.
-Patient is reporting a "stuffy" nose
A patient who has nasal congestion might resort to "mouth breathing," which would alter a
temperature measurement obtained orally. This condition would also require that you assess
the patient's respiration for a full 60 seconds.
-Patient is taking digoxin (Lanoxin)
The presence of a cardiovascular problem that warrants pharmacological digoxin therapy would
require that you assess the patient's apical pulse for a full 60 seconds.
-The patient had a mastectomy 2 years ago
Lymphatic drainage might be altered in the affected arm post mastectomy. The application of
pressure from the assessment of blood pressure could result in a painful condition called
lymphedema.
, You are assessing the vital signs of a newly admitted patient. To establish an accurate baseline
of the patient's respiration, you
A. instruct the patient to breathe in and to exhale out as he would normally
B. make the patient physically comfortable before beginning the assessment
C. determine if the patient has a history of any chronic respiratory problems
D. observe the patient's chest movements while appearing to assess his pulse D. observe the
patient's chest movements while appearing to assess his pulse
You are most likely to observe the true respiratory pattern (rate, rhythm, and depth) when the
patient is unaware that he is being assessed. When patients know their respiration is being
observed, it is common for them to alter their respiratory pattern either voluntarily or
involuntarily.
The best way to determine the depth of a patient's respiration is to
A. observe the degree of chest-wall movement during inspiration and expiration
B. count how many breathing cycles you observe per minute
C. notice whether or not expiration takes longer than inspiration
D. measure the precise amount of air the patient takes in and breathes out A. observe the
degree of chest-wall movement during inspiration and expiration
You determine the depth of respiration subjectively by evaluating how much chest-wall
movement you can observe. The movement is generated by the movements of the diaphragm
and intercostal muscles as the patient breathes. With shallow respiration, for example, you will
observe very little movement. Deep respiration involves full expansion of the lungs, which is
usually quite visible.
