General CNA Practice Vital Signs and Measurements 1 — Questions and Answers
Question 1: The normal resting heart rate for a healthy adult is:
- 20–40 beats per minute
- 60–100 beats per minute (Correct answer)
- 110–140 beats per minute
- 40–55 beats per minute
Correct answer: 60–100 beats per minute
A normal adult resting heart rate ranges from 60 to 100 beats per minute.
Question 2: When taking a radial pulse, the CNA places their fingers on the:
- Inside of the elbow
- Thumb side of the inner wrist (Correct answer)
- Back of the hand
- Little finger side of the wrist
Correct answer: Thumb side of the inner wrist
The radial pulse is felt on the thumb side of the inner wrist where the radial artery is close to the surface.
Question 3: Normal oral temperature for an adult is approximately:
- 97.0°F (36.1°C)
- 98.6°F (37.0°C) (Correct answer)
- 100.4°F (38.0°C)
- 96.0°F (35.6°C)
Correct answer: 98.6°F (37.0°C)
The accepted normal oral temperature for an adult is 98.6°F (37.0°C), with normal variation between approximately 97–99°F.
Question 4: Hypotension is defined as blood pressure:
- Above 140/90 mmHg
- Below 90/60 mmHg (Correct answer)
- Exactly 120/80 mmHg
- Between 110/70 and 120/80 mmHg
Correct answer: Below 90/60 mmHg
Hypotension is abnormally low blood pressure, generally defined as below 90/60 mmHg, which can cause dizziness and fainting.
Question 5: Normal respiratory rate for a resting adult is:
- 5–8 breaths per minute
- 12–20 breaths per minute (Correct answer)
- 25–35 breaths per minute
- 40–50 breaths per minute
Correct answer: 12–20 breaths per minute
A normal adult resting respiratory rate is 12–20 breaths per minute.
Question 6: Why should the CNA not tell the resident they are counting respirations?
- It is not necessary to inform residents
- Residents may unconsciously change their breathing rate if they know it is being counted (Correct answer)
- Counting respirations is always done secretly as a rule
- It takes too long to explain
Correct answer: Residents may unconsciously change their breathing rate if they know it is being counted
Awareness of breathing being observed can cause a person to voluntarily alter their rate, making the count inaccurate.
General CNA Practice Vital Signs and Measurements 1
The normal resting heart rate for a healthy adult is: