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
A PCT notices a patient's apical pulse is 88 bpm but the radial pulse is 72 bpm. This difference is called:
Answer: Pulse deficit
A pulse deficit occurs when the apical pulse rate exceeds the peripheral pulse rate, indicating some heartbeats are not producing palpable peripheral pulses.
Which patient position should be used when measuring orthostatic blood pressure?
Answer: Supine, then sitting, then standing
Orthostatic (postural) blood pressure is measured in supine, sitting, and standing positions to detect drops caused by position change.
A temperature of 35.0°C (95°F) would indicate:
Answer: Hypothermia
A core body temperature below 35°C (95°F) is classified as hypothermia.
Which of the following patients requires the most URGENT reporting of vital signs?
Answer: Adult with SpO2 88% and RR 28
An SpO2 of 88% combined with a respiratory rate of 28 indicates significant respiratory distress and requires immediate notification of the nurse.
The brachial artery is the preferred site for blood pressure measurement because:
Answer: It is at heart level when the arm is properly positioned
The brachial artery is used because when the arm is positioned at heart level, it provides a pressure reading that reflects true cardiac output.
Cheyne-Stokes respiration is best described as:
Answer: Gradual increase then decrease in depth with periods of apnea
Cheyne-Stokes respiration features a cyclical pattern of gradually increasing then decreasing respiratory depth followed by a period of apnea.
A patient states they just smoked a cigarette. How long should the PCT wait before taking an oral temperature?
Answer: 15 minutes
Smoking can elevate oral temperature readings; waiting 15 minutes ensures an accurate measurement.