CPCT Vital Signs and Patient Monitoring 2 — Questions and Answers
Question 1: What is the most accurate method for measuring core body temperature?
- Oral thermometer
- Axillary thermometer
- Rectal thermometer (Correct answer)
- Temporal artery thermometer
Correct answer: Rectal thermometer
Rectal temperature measurement is considered the most accurate reflection of core body temperature.
Question 2: Which of the following represents a normal adult respiratory rate?
- 6–10 breaths per minute
- 12–20 breaths per minute (Correct answer)
- 22–28 breaths per minute
- 30–36 breaths per minute
Correct answer: 12–20 breaths per minute
Normal adult respiratory rate is 12–20 breaths per minute at rest.
Question 3: When taking a manual blood pressure, the cuff should be inflated to approximately how many mmHg above the expected systolic pressure?
- 10 mmHg
- 20 mmHg
- 30 mmHg (Correct answer)
- 50 mmHg
Correct answer: 30 mmHg
Inflating the cuff 30 mmHg above the expected systolic pressure ensures an accurate reading by fully occluding arterial flow.
Question 4: A patient's blood pressure is 88/56 mmHg and they appear pale and diaphoretic. This presentation most likely suggests:
- Hypertensive crisis
- Hypotension and possible shock (Correct answer)
- Normal postoperative finding
- Orthostatic hypotension only
Correct answer: Hypotension and possible shock
A blood pressure of 88/56 combined with pallor and diaphoresis is consistent with hypotension and potential shock requiring immediate reporting.
Question 5: Which pulse characteristic should be documented along with rate when reporting to a nurse?
- Color and warmth of the skin
- Rhythm and strength (Correct answer)
- Patient's pain level only
- Patient's position during measurement
Correct answer: Rhythm and strength
Pulse rhythm (regular or irregular) and strength (strong, weak, thready) provide important clinical information beyond just rate.
Question 6: Orthostatic hypotension is defined as a drop in systolic blood pressure of at least how many mmHg upon standing?
- 5 mmHg
- 10 mmHg
- 20 mmHg (Correct answer)
- 40 mmHg
Correct answer: 20 mmHg
Orthostatic hypotension is defined as a drop of ≥20 mmHg in systolic or ≥10 mmHg in diastolic pressure within 3 minutes of standing.
CPCT Vital Signs and Patient Monitoring 2
What is the most accurate method for measuring core body temperature?