CMA Vital Signs and Patient Assessment

Question 1

What is the normal resting heart rate range for a healthy adult?

Accepted Answer

60–100 beats per minute

Answer

40–60 beats per minute

Answer

100–120 beats per minute

Answer

50–80 beats per minute

Question 2

Which site is most commonly used to assess the pulse in a routine adult patient assessment?

Accepted Answer

Radial artery

Answer

Femoral artery

Answer

Carotid artery

Answer

Brachial artery

Question 3

A blood pressure reading of 142/92 mmHg would be classified as which stage according to current AHA guidelines?

Accepted Answer

Stage 2 Hypertension

Answer

Normal

Answer

Elevated

Answer

Stage 1 Hypertension

Question 4

What is the normal oral body temperature for an adult in Fahrenheit?

Accepted Answer

98.6°F

Answer

96.8°F

Answer

100.4°F

Answer

97.2°F

Question 5

When measuring a patient's respiratory rate, the medical assistant should count for how long without informing the patient?

Accepted Answer

60 seconds

Answer

15 seconds and multiply by 4

Answer

30 seconds and multiply by 2

Answer

10 seconds and multiply by 6

Question 6

Which instrument is used to measure blood pressure?

Accepted Answer

Sphygmomanometer

Answer

Spirometer

Answer

Oximeter

Answer

Glucometer

Question 7

A patient's oxygen saturation (SpO2) reading of 93% on room air would be considered:

Accepted Answer

Below the normal threshold and warrants further assessment

Answer

Normal — no action needed

Answer

Slightly elevated

Answer

Critically low and requires immediate intubation