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

The normal adult resting heart rate is 60–100 beats per minute (bpm). Rates below 60 bpm are bradycardia; rates above 100 bpm are tachycardia.

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

The blood pressure cuff should be placed 1–2 inches (approximately 2–3 cm) above the antecubital fossa (the inside of the elbow), centering the bladder over the brachial artery.

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

To convert Fahrenheit to Celsius: (°F − 32) × 5/9. (101.5 − 32) × 5/9 = 69.5 × 0.556 = 38.6°C. This represents a low-grade fever.

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

Patients often alter their breathing rate when aware of observation (the Hawthorne effect). The best technique is to count respirations covertly while appearing to assess the pulse, maintaining hand position on the wrist.

Question 5

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

Accepted Answer

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

Answer

SpO2 (peripheral capillary oxygen saturation) measured by pulse oximetry estimates the percentage of hemoglobin molecules saturated with oxygen. Normal is 95–100%; below 90% is generally considered hypoxic.

NCMA - National Certified Medical Assistant Practice Test

NCMA - National Certified Medical Assistant Practice Test

NCMA Patient Vital Signs and Assessment