NUR 112 VITAL SIGNS EXAM 1 QUESTIONS AND
ANSWERS
__________ is one of the most frequent assessments you will make as a nurse. Even if vital signs are
delegated to a nursing assistive personnel (NAP), you are still responsible for interpreting their meaning
and significance.
Taking a client's vital signs
What are vital signs a means of assessing?
Vital signs are a means of assessing vital or critical physiological functions.
What do variations in vital signs reflect?
Variations in vital signs reflect a person's state of health and/or functional ability of the body systems.
When should you measure a patient's vital signs?
- On admission to the hospital
- For inpatients, at the beginning of a shift
- At a visit to the healthcare provider's office or clinic
- Before, during, and after surgery or certain procedures
- To monitor the effects of certain medications or activities
- Whenever the patient’s condition changes
The importance of accurate assessments, interpretation, and documentation of vital signs cannot be
overemphasized.
,The importance of accurate assessments, interpretation, and documentation of vital signs cannot be
overemphasized.
- Provider's prescription and/or nursing judgment
- Client's condition
- Facility standards
<< Instructor: Review these statements with the students emphasizing the importance of accurate
assessments and regular monitoring.>>
The frequency of taking vital signs is determined by:
Facility Standards for Monitoring Vital Signs:
- Hospital: Every 4 to 8 hours
- Home health setting: Each visit
- Clinic: Each visit
- Skilled nursing facilities (SNFs): Weekly to monthly
Frequency determined by agency and setting: The optimal frequency for assessing vital signs depends on
the patient's condition and the events taking place. Also, agency policies usually require that nurses
monitor and record vital signs regularly.
Average adult oral temperature:
98° F
Average adult rectal temperature:
98.6° F
,Normal pulse range for adults:
60-100 beats/min
Average adult pulse:
80 beats/min
Normal respiration range in adults:
12-20 breaths/min
Normal blood pressure range in adults:
100-119 mm Hg systolic or 60-80 mm Hg diastolic
100-119/60-80
Prehypertensive BP in adults:
120-139/80-89
Average BP in adults:
110/70 mm Hg
Newborn vital signs:
Temp: 98.2- axillary
Pulse:130 (80-180)
, Respirations: 30-60
BP: 80/40
1-3 years old vital signs:
Temp: 99.9- rectal
Pulse: 110 (80-150)
Respirations: 20-40
BP: 98/64
6-8 years old vital signs:
Temp: 98.6- oral
Pulse: 95 (75-115)
Respirations: 20-25
BP: 102/56
Normal vital signs for a 10 year old:
Temp: 98.6- oral
Pulse: 90 (70-100)
Respirations: 17-22
BP: 110/58
Normal teen vital signs:
Temp: 98.6- oral
Pulse: 80 (55-105)
Respirations: 15-20
ANSWERS
__________ is one of the most frequent assessments you will make as a nurse. Even if vital signs are
delegated to a nursing assistive personnel (NAP), you are still responsible for interpreting their meaning
and significance.
Taking a client's vital signs
What are vital signs a means of assessing?
Vital signs are a means of assessing vital or critical physiological functions.
What do variations in vital signs reflect?
Variations in vital signs reflect a person's state of health and/or functional ability of the body systems.
When should you measure a patient's vital signs?
- On admission to the hospital
- For inpatients, at the beginning of a shift
- At a visit to the healthcare provider's office or clinic
- Before, during, and after surgery or certain procedures
- To monitor the effects of certain medications or activities
- Whenever the patient’s condition changes
The importance of accurate assessments, interpretation, and documentation of vital signs cannot be
overemphasized.
,The importance of accurate assessments, interpretation, and documentation of vital signs cannot be
overemphasized.
- Provider's prescription and/or nursing judgment
- Client's condition
- Facility standards
<< Instructor: Review these statements with the students emphasizing the importance of accurate
assessments and regular monitoring.>>
The frequency of taking vital signs is determined by:
Facility Standards for Monitoring Vital Signs:
- Hospital: Every 4 to 8 hours
- Home health setting: Each visit
- Clinic: Each visit
- Skilled nursing facilities (SNFs): Weekly to monthly
Frequency determined by agency and setting: The optimal frequency for assessing vital signs depends on
the patient's condition and the events taking place. Also, agency policies usually require that nurses
monitor and record vital signs regularly.
Average adult oral temperature:
98° F
Average adult rectal temperature:
98.6° F
,Normal pulse range for adults:
60-100 beats/min
Average adult pulse:
80 beats/min
Normal respiration range in adults:
12-20 breaths/min
Normal blood pressure range in adults:
100-119 mm Hg systolic or 60-80 mm Hg diastolic
100-119/60-80
Prehypertensive BP in adults:
120-139/80-89
Average BP in adults:
110/70 mm Hg
Newborn vital signs:
Temp: 98.2- axillary
Pulse:130 (80-180)
, Respirations: 30-60
BP: 80/40
1-3 years old vital signs:
Temp: 99.9- rectal
Pulse: 110 (80-150)
Respirations: 20-40
BP: 98/64
6-8 years old vital signs:
Temp: 98.6- oral
Pulse: 95 (75-115)
Respirations: 20-25
BP: 102/56
Normal vital signs for a 10 year old:
Temp: 98.6- oral
Pulse: 90 (70-100)
Respirations: 17-22
BP: 110/58
Normal teen vital signs:
Temp: 98.6- oral
Pulse: 80 (55-105)
Respirations: 15-20
