NSG 3100 Vital Signs Assessment — Exam
Questions with Correct Answers
(VerifiedAnswers) Plus Rationales 2026 Q&A
Instant Download PDF.
Question 1
A nurse is preparing to measure a patient's oral temperature.
Which action is most appropriate?
A. Place the thermometer under the tongue against the front
teeth.
B. Ask the patient to breathe through the mouth during
measurement.
C. Place the thermometer in the posterior sublingual pocket.
D. Position the thermometer between the cheek and gum.
The posterior sublingual pocket provides a more accurate
representation of core body temperature than placing the
thermometer near the front teeth or against the cheek. The
patient should keep the mouth closed around the thermometer
during measurement. Oral temperature measurement may be
inappropriate immediately after eating, drinking, smoking, or
,using certain oral medications because these activities can
temporarily alter the reading.
Question 2
Which patient's temperature measurement requires the nurse
to consider an alternative method rather than obtaining an oral
temperature?
A. An alert adult who has not recently eaten.
B. A patient who can comfortably close the mouth.
C. A patient who is unconscious and unable to protect the
airway.
D. A patient who can breathe comfortably through the nose.
An unconscious patient may not be able to safely maintain the
thermometer in the correct position or protect the airway. An
alternative temperature route should be selected according to
the patient's condition, facility policy, and the equipment
available. Patient safety takes priority over convenience when
selecting a vital-sign measurement technique.
Question 3
A patient's oral temperature is 38.5°C (101.3°F). How should the
nurse interpret this finding in an adult?
,A. Hypothermia
B. Normal temperature
C. Elevated temperature consistent with fever
D. Critically low temperature
An oral temperature of 38.5°C is above the expected normal
range and is generally considered a fever. The nurse should
assess the patient for associated findings such as chills,
sweating, infection-related symptoms, changes in heart rate,
respiratory rate, and overall clinical condition. The significance
of the temperature should always be interpreted in relation to
the patient's baseline and clinical presentation.
Question 4
Which factor can cause a temporary increase in body
temperature?
A. Prolonged exposure to cold air
B. Resting quietly in a cool room
C. Recent physical activity
D. Sleeping for several hours
Physical activity increases metabolic activity and heat
production, which can temporarily raise body temperature.
Other factors that may influence temperature include
environmental conditions, time of day, age, hormonal changes,
, illness, medications, and emotional stress. The nurse should
consider these variables when interpreting a temperature
measurement.
Question 5
Which temperature route generally provides the closest
approximation of core body temperature?
A. Axillary
B. Oral
C. Temporal
D. Rectal
Rectal temperature is generally considered a close
approximation of core temperature because the measurement
is obtained from an area with relatively stable blood flow and
proximity to internal tissues. However, rectal measurement is
not appropriate for every patient. Contraindications and
precautions must be considered, and institutional policy should
guide the selection of the measurement route.
Question 6
A nurse is assessing a patient's pulse. Which characteristic
refers to the number of heartbeats occurring in one minute?
Questions with Correct Answers
(VerifiedAnswers) Plus Rationales 2026 Q&A
Instant Download PDF.
Question 1
A nurse is preparing to measure a patient's oral temperature.
Which action is most appropriate?
A. Place the thermometer under the tongue against the front
teeth.
B. Ask the patient to breathe through the mouth during
measurement.
C. Place the thermometer in the posterior sublingual pocket.
D. Position the thermometer between the cheek and gum.
The posterior sublingual pocket provides a more accurate
representation of core body temperature than placing the
thermometer near the front teeth or against the cheek. The
patient should keep the mouth closed around the thermometer
during measurement. Oral temperature measurement may be
inappropriate immediately after eating, drinking, smoking, or
,using certain oral medications because these activities can
temporarily alter the reading.
Question 2
Which patient's temperature measurement requires the nurse
to consider an alternative method rather than obtaining an oral
temperature?
A. An alert adult who has not recently eaten.
B. A patient who can comfortably close the mouth.
C. A patient who is unconscious and unable to protect the
airway.
D. A patient who can breathe comfortably through the nose.
An unconscious patient may not be able to safely maintain the
thermometer in the correct position or protect the airway. An
alternative temperature route should be selected according to
the patient's condition, facility policy, and the equipment
available. Patient safety takes priority over convenience when
selecting a vital-sign measurement technique.
Question 3
A patient's oral temperature is 38.5°C (101.3°F). How should the
nurse interpret this finding in an adult?
,A. Hypothermia
B. Normal temperature
C. Elevated temperature consistent with fever
D. Critically low temperature
An oral temperature of 38.5°C is above the expected normal
range and is generally considered a fever. The nurse should
assess the patient for associated findings such as chills,
sweating, infection-related symptoms, changes in heart rate,
respiratory rate, and overall clinical condition. The significance
of the temperature should always be interpreted in relation to
the patient's baseline and clinical presentation.
Question 4
Which factor can cause a temporary increase in body
temperature?
A. Prolonged exposure to cold air
B. Resting quietly in a cool room
C. Recent physical activity
D. Sleeping for several hours
Physical activity increases metabolic activity and heat
production, which can temporarily raise body temperature.
Other factors that may influence temperature include
environmental conditions, time of day, age, hormonal changes,
, illness, medications, and emotional stress. The nurse should
consider these variables when interpreting a temperature
measurement.
Question 5
Which temperature route generally provides the closest
approximation of core body temperature?
A. Axillary
B. Oral
C. Temporal
D. Rectal
Rectal temperature is generally considered a close
approximation of core temperature because the measurement
is obtained from an area with relatively stable blood flow and
proximity to internal tissues. However, rectal measurement is
not appropriate for every patient. Contraindications and
precautions must be considered, and institutional policy should
guide the selection of the measurement route.
Question 6
A nurse is assessing a patient's pulse. Which characteristic
refers to the number of heartbeats occurring in one minute?
