NUR 181 UNIT 1 INCREASE & DECREASE VITAL SIGNS STUDY GUIDE &
PRACTICE QUESTIONS 2026/2027
A decrease in blood pressure (sometimes caused by blood loss), elevated temperature, poor
oxygenation of blood, and prolonged application of heat are all factors that are unique to
causing an increase or decrease in what vital sign? - Correct answer ✔✔ pulse
Exercise, strong emotions/emotional state/anxiety, medications, are factors that could affect
what vital signs? - Correct answer ✔✔ pulse, respiration, and blood pressure
Pain increases and/or decreases which two vital signs? - Correct answer ✔✔ pulse and
respiration
Age can increase or decrease what vital signs? - Correct answer ✔✔ Blood pressure,
temperature, and respiration
Acid-base balance, brain legions, increased altitude, respiratory diseases, anemia, fever, brain
damage, diabetic ketoacidosis, overdose, heart failure, and meningitis are factors that are
unique to causing an increase or decrease in what vital sign? - Correct answer ✔✔ respiration
Food intake, weight, body position, and race are unique to causing and increase or decrease in
what vital sign? - Correct answer ✔✔ Blood pressure
Biological sex can cause an increase or decrease in what vital signs? - Correct answer ✔✔ blood
pressure and temperature
Circadian rhythms can cause an increase/ decrease in what vital signs? - Correct answer ✔✔
Temperature and blood pressure
PRACTICE QUESTIONS 2026/2027
A decrease in blood pressure (sometimes caused by blood loss), elevated temperature, poor
oxygenation of blood, and prolonged application of heat are all factors that are unique to
causing an increase or decrease in what vital sign? - Correct answer ✔✔ pulse
Exercise, strong emotions/emotional state/anxiety, medications, are factors that could affect
what vital signs? - Correct answer ✔✔ pulse, respiration, and blood pressure
Pain increases and/or decreases which two vital signs? - Correct answer ✔✔ pulse and
respiration
Age can increase or decrease what vital signs? - Correct answer ✔✔ Blood pressure,
temperature, and respiration
Acid-base balance, brain legions, increased altitude, respiratory diseases, anemia, fever, brain
damage, diabetic ketoacidosis, overdose, heart failure, and meningitis are factors that are
unique to causing an increase or decrease in what vital sign? - Correct answer ✔✔ respiration
Food intake, weight, body position, and race are unique to causing and increase or decrease in
what vital sign? - Correct answer ✔✔ Blood pressure
Biological sex can cause an increase or decrease in what vital signs? - Correct answer ✔✔ blood
pressure and temperature
Circadian rhythms can cause an increase/ decrease in what vital signs? - Correct answer ✔✔
Temperature and blood pressure
