Vital Signs Flashcards
7 cards from real PCT practice questions. Tap to flip, then mark Knew It or Still Learning — missed cards come back until you master them.
Read the first 7 Vital Signs flashcards as text
Which pulse site is used to assess circulation to the foot?
Answer: Dorsalis pedis
The dorsalis pedis pulse, located on the top of the foot, is used to assess distal circulation to the foot.
A blood pressure reading should be repeated if:
Answer: The reading is unexpectedly high or low
An unexpectedly abnormal reading should be repeated to confirm accuracy before reporting to the nurse.
The term 'afebrile' means the patient:
Answer: Has no fever
Afebrile means without fever; a patient with a normal temperature is described as afebrile.
During BP measurement, how fast should the cuff be deflated?
Answer: 2 mmHg per second
The cuff should be deflated at approximately 2 mmHg per second to accurately identify Korotkoff sounds.
A patient's pulse rhythm is described as 'irregular.' The BEST next action for the PCT is to:
Answer: Report it to the nurse immediately after counting for a full 60 seconds
An irregular pulse should be counted for a full 60 seconds and promptly reported to the nurse for further evaluation.
Which of the following factors can cause a patient's blood pressure to be temporarily LOWER than their baseline?
Answer: Recent vigorous exercise
Blood pressure typically drops after vigorous exercise as blood vessels dilate and the cardiovascular system recovers.
The pulse pressure is calculated as:
Answer: Systolic minus diastolic
Pulse pressure equals systolic minus diastolic blood pressure; a normal pulse pressure is approximately 40 mmHg.