NCMA Patient Vital Signs and 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

When taking a manual blood pressure reading, the cuff should be placed how far above the antecubital fossa?

Accepted Answer

1–2 inches (2–3 cm) above the antecubital fossa

Answer

Directly over the antecubital fossa

Answer

4–5 inches above the antecubital fossa

Answer

On the forearm, 2 inches below the antecubital fossa

Question 3

A patient's temperature is measured at 101.5°F orally. Using the Celsius conversion, what is this equivalent to?

Accepted Answer

38.6°C

Answer

37.0°C

Answer

39.2°C

Answer

36.5°C

Question 4

Which of the following is the MOST accurate method for assessing respiratory rate?

Accepted Answer

Count respirations while appearing to take the pulse, without informing the patient

Answer

Ask the patient to count their own breaths for 30 seconds

Answer

Have the patient breathe deeply and count the deep breaths only

Answer

Count respirations while the patient is engaged in conversation

Question 5

What does SpO2 measure, and what is the normal range?

Accepted Answer

Peripheral oxygen saturation of hemoglobin; normal is 95–100%

Answer

Carbon dioxide level in the blood; normal is 35–45 mmHg

Answer

Blood pressure oxygen ratio; normal is 90–100 mmHg

Answer

Oxygen partial pressure in arterial blood; normal is 80–100 mmHg

Question 6

When measuring a patient's height using a stadiometer, which position should the patient be in?

Accepted Answer

Standing upright, shoes removed, heels together, back straight, looking forward (Frankfurt plane)

Answer

Seated in a chair with feet flat on the floor

Answer

Standing with shoes on to get total height

Answer

Lying supine on the examination table