Patient Vital Signs and Assessment Flashcards

What is the normal resting heart rate range for a healthy adult?

Answer: 60–100 beats per minute

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.

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

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

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.

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

Answer: 38.6°C

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.

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

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

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.

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

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

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.

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

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

Height (stature) is measured with the patient standing upright without shoes, heels together against the backboard, back as straight as possible, and head in the Frankfurt plane (eyes level with ear canals).