PCT Vital Signs 3 — Questions and Answers
Question 1: The diastolic blood pressure represents:
- Pressure when the heart contracts
- Pressure when the heart is at rest between beats (Correct answer)
- Average arterial pressure over one minute
- Pressure in the pulmonary veins
Correct answer: Pressure when the heart is at rest between beats
Diastolic pressure is the lower number and reflects the pressure in the arteries when the heart relaxes between beats.
Question 2: Which of the following is the correct sequence for a complete vital signs assessment?
- BP, pulse, temperature, respirations, SpO2
- Temperature, pulse, respirations, BP, SpO2 (Correct answer)
- SpO2, temperature, BP, pulse, respirations
- Pulse, BP, SpO2, respirations, temperature
Correct answer: Temperature, pulse, respirations, BP, SpO2
The standard sequence is temperature, pulse, respirations, blood pressure, and SpO2, though facility protocols may vary.
Question 3: A patient's temperature is 38.9°C. What is this in Fahrenheit?
- 100.0°F
- 101.0°F
- 102.0°F (Correct answer)
- 103.0°F
Correct answer: 102.0°F
Using the formula F = (C × 9/5) + 32: (38.9 × 1.8) + 32 = 70.02 + 32 = 102.02°F.
Question 4: Which blood pressure cuff size error will cause a falsely HIGH reading?
- Cuff too large for the arm
- Cuff too small for the arm (Correct answer)
- Cuff placed over clothing
- Arm positioned above heart level
Correct answer: Cuff too small for the arm
A cuff that is too small for the arm requires more pressure to compress the artery, resulting in a falsely elevated blood pressure reading.
Question 5: Kussmaul respirations are characterized by:
- Slow, shallow breaths with periods of apnea
- Deep, rapid, and labored breathing (Correct answer)
- Alternating periods of deep and shallow breathing
- Absent breathing for 20 or more seconds
Correct answer: Deep, rapid, and labored breathing
Kussmaul respirations are deep, rapid, and labored, typically seen in diabetic ketoacidosis as the body compensates for metabolic acidosis.
Question 6: What is the normal resting heart rate range for an adult?
- 40–60 bpm
- 60–100 bpm (Correct answer)
- 100–120 bpm
- 50–90 bpm
Correct answer: 60–100 bpm
A normal adult resting heart rate is 60–100 beats per minute.
Question 7: When auscultating blood pressure, the first Korotkoff sound heard represents the:
- Diastolic pressure
- Mean arterial pressure
- Systolic pressure (Correct answer)
- Pulse pressure
Correct answer: Systolic pressure
The first Korotkoff sound — a clear tapping — heard as the cuff deflates marks the systolic blood pressure.
PCT Vital Signs 3
The diastolic blood pressure represents: