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NSG 3100 EXAM 2 REVIEW FUNDAMENTAL
CONCEPTS AND SKILLS FOR NURSING PRACTICE I
(GALEN COLLEGE OF NURSING,2026)
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Vital Signs
1. What supplies do you need to take a patient’s vital signs?
Thermometer, blood pressure cuff, stethoscope, Watch with second hand, pulse
oximeter, alcohol wipes, pen and documentation sheet or electronic device.
2. What artery do you need to find before placing the blood
pressure cuff on the patients arm and where is located?
The brachial artery. The brachial artery is found on the inner aspect of the arm just above the
bend of the elbow (antecantecubital space) slightly toward the inner side (medial) of the arm.
3. What does systolic blood pressure mean?
Is the peak pressure in the arteries when the left ventricle of the heart contracts and pushes blood
through the aortic valve into the aorta. This pressure is part of a wave that moves through the
arterial system during each heartbeat.
4. What does diastolic blood pressure mean?
The lowest pressure on arterial walls, which occurs when the heart rests between beats. This
happens when the ventricles are relaxed and the heart is refilling with blood.it is the bottom number
in a blood pressure reading.
5. What happens to the patient’s blood pressure if you use a
cuff that is too small or too large?
A cuff that is too small (narrow) can give a false high blood pressure reading.
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6. What is the fifth vital sign?
Pain
7. What are the norms for BP, O2 sat, temperature, respiratory
rate and pulse?
8. If you can’t take a patients BP in their arm where do you
take it? Use the popliteal artery ( located behind the knee)
The cuff is placed around the thigh, about midway, and the stethoscope is positioned over the popliteal
artery.
The systolic pressure in the leg is usually 10-40 mmh higher than in the arm, while the diastolic
pressure is generally the same.
9. What do you do if the patients vitals are abnormal when
you take them for the first time?
Reassess the vital signs: to confirm the abnormal reading. Check the patient's condition: assess
for signs symptoms. Compare W baseline values. Report abnormal finding promptly, and
10. How do you treat hypothermia and hyperthermia?
Focus on safely returning the body temperature to normal: Hyperthermia (body temp above 38°C/ 1004°F) cool the
Hypothermia (body temp below 35°/95°F)
Report significant changes to the provider patient: cooling blankets, ice packs increase air circulation
use warm blanks, heating pads, or forced warm air systems.
administer antipyretics
Apply warm IV fluids if ordered remove wet clothing
ensure adequate hydration
Monitor vitals
monitor sighs of heatstroke
11. What does pain do to the patient’s other vital signs?
Can increase bp, increase RR (tachycardia) spo2 may decrease,
NSG 3100 EXAM 2 REVIEW FUNDAMENTAL
CONCEPTS AND SKILLS FOR NURSING PRACTICE I
(GALEN COLLEGE OF NURSING,2026)
,2
Vital Signs
1. What supplies do you need to take a patient’s vital signs?
Thermometer, blood pressure cuff, stethoscope, Watch with second hand, pulse
oximeter, alcohol wipes, pen and documentation sheet or electronic device.
2. What artery do you need to find before placing the blood
pressure cuff on the patients arm and where is located?
The brachial artery. The brachial artery is found on the inner aspect of the arm just above the
bend of the elbow (antecantecubital space) slightly toward the inner side (medial) of the arm.
3. What does systolic blood pressure mean?
Is the peak pressure in the arteries when the left ventricle of the heart contracts and pushes blood
through the aortic valve into the aorta. This pressure is part of a wave that moves through the
arterial system during each heartbeat.
4. What does diastolic blood pressure mean?
The lowest pressure on arterial walls, which occurs when the heart rests between beats. This
happens when the ventricles are relaxed and the heart is refilling with blood.it is the bottom number
in a blood pressure reading.
5. What happens to the patient’s blood pressure if you use a
cuff that is too small or too large?
A cuff that is too small (narrow) can give a false high blood pressure reading.
,3
Downloaded by JAMES RUTHER ()
,4
6. What is the fifth vital sign?
Pain
7. What are the norms for BP, O2 sat, temperature, respiratory
rate and pulse?
8. If you can’t take a patients BP in their arm where do you
take it? Use the popliteal artery ( located behind the knee)
The cuff is placed around the thigh, about midway, and the stethoscope is positioned over the popliteal
artery.
The systolic pressure in the leg is usually 10-40 mmh higher than in the arm, while the diastolic
pressure is generally the same.
9. What do you do if the patients vitals are abnormal when
you take them for the first time?
Reassess the vital signs: to confirm the abnormal reading. Check the patient's condition: assess
for signs symptoms. Compare W baseline values. Report abnormal finding promptly, and
10. How do you treat hypothermia and hyperthermia?
Focus on safely returning the body temperature to normal: Hyperthermia (body temp above 38°C/ 1004°F) cool the
Hypothermia (body temp below 35°/95°F)
Report significant changes to the provider patient: cooling blankets, ice packs increase air circulation
use warm blanks, heating pads, or forced warm air systems.
administer antipyretics
Apply warm IV fluids if ordered remove wet clothing
ensure adequate hydration
Monitor vitals
monitor sighs of heatstroke
11. What does pain do to the patient’s other vital signs?
Can increase bp, increase RR (tachycardia) spo2 may decrease,
