CNA Vital Signs Measurement 1 — Questions and Answers
Question 1: What is the normal range for an adult's oral body temperature?
- 96.0°F to 97.5°F
- 97.6°F to 99.6°F (Correct answer)
- 99.7°F to 101.0°F
- 100.4°F to 102.0°F
Correct answer: 97.6°F to 99.6°F
The normal oral temperature range for adults is 97.6°F to 99.6°F, with 98.6°F considered the average.
Question 2: What is the normal resting pulse rate range for an adult?
- 40 to 60 beats per minute
- 60 to 100 beats per minute (Correct answer)
- 100 to 120 beats per minute
- 50 to 80 beats per minute
Correct answer: 60 to 100 beats per minute
A normal adult resting heart rate is 60 to 100 beats per minute; values outside this range indicate bradycardia or tachycardia.
Question 3: What is the normal respiratory rate for a healthy adult?
- 8 to 12 breaths per minute
- 12 to 20 breaths per minute (Correct answer)
- 20 to 28 breaths per minute
- 6 to 10 breaths per minute
Correct answer: 12 to 20 breaths per minute
A normal adult respiratory rate is 12 to 20 breaths per minute; rates above or below this range require reporting.
Question 4: Which blood pressure reading is considered normal for an adult?
- 140/90 mmHg
- 135/85 mmHg
- Less than 120/80 mmHg (Correct answer)
- 125/82 mmHg
Correct answer: Less than 120/80 mmHg
A normal blood pressure for adults is less than 120/80 mmHg; readings at or above 130/80 indicate hypertension.
Question 5: The radial pulse is most commonly assessed at which location?
- Inner elbow (antecubital fossa)
- Neck (carotid artery)
- Wrist on the thumb side (Correct answer)
- Temple (temporal artery)
Correct answer: Wrist on the thumb side
The radial pulse is palpated at the wrist on the thumb side, over the radial artery, making it the most accessible pulse site for routine assessment.
Question 6: When measuring a patient's respiratory rate, the CNA should:
- Tell the patient you are counting their breaths
- Count breaths while appearing to still check the pulse (Correct answer)
- Ask the patient to breathe deeply and count
- Count for only 10 seconds and multiply by 6
Correct answer: Count breaths while appearing to still check the pulse
Counting respirations while appearing to check the pulse prevents the patient from consciously altering their breathing pattern, ensuring an accurate count.
Question 7: Which thermometer route typically yields the highest temperature reading?
- Oral
- Axillary
- Tympanic
- Rectal (Correct answer)
Correct answer: Rectal
Rectal temperature readings are generally 0.5°F to 1°F higher than oral readings because the rectum is a closed body cavity that retains more heat.
CNA Vital Signs Measurement 1
What is the normal range for an adult's oral body temperature?