Free Vital Signs and Monitoring MCQs with Answers
50 Vital Signs and Monitoring MCQs from Fundamentals of Nursing, each with the correct answer and a written explanation of why it is correct. Free and unlimited, with no account needed.
Vital signs include temperature, pulse, respiration, blood pressure, oxygen saturation and pain assessment. Coverage includes correct measurement sites and techniques, normal adult ranges, factors that alter readings, trends in patient observations, and the difference between an abnormal finding that needs reassessment and one requiring immediate reporting.
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50 questions · page 1 of 3
- A. 8 to 11 breaths per minute
- B. 12 to 20 breaths per minute
- C. 21 to 28 breaths per minute
- D. 29 to 36 breaths per minute
Explanation: A normal resting adult respiratory rate is generally 12 to 20 breaths per minute.
Correct answer: 12 to 20 breaths per minute- A. Place the cuff over a thick sleeve with the arm hanging down
- B. Use a cuff that covers half of the upper-arm circumference
- C. Support the bare arm at heart level before inflating the cuff
- D. Ask the patient to talk normally while the pressure is released
Explanation: The bare arm should be supported at heart level, with an appropriately sized cuff and the patient resting quietly.
Correct answer: Support the bare arm at heart level before inflating the cuff- A. Document the value and repeat it at the end of the shift
- B. Apply oxygen according to protocol and assess the patient's breathing
- C. Offer oral fluids and ask the patient to rest in bed
- D. Measure the temperature before taking any further action
Explanation: The sudden fall in oxygen saturation with breathlessness indicates impaired breathing, so airway and breathing take priority.
Correct answer: Apply oxygen according to protocol and assess the patient's breathing- A. Measure it immediately before the mouth cools
- B. Wait about 15 minutes before measuring it
- C. Measure it under the tongue while the patient talks
- D. Use the same oral reading without any reassessment
Explanation: Hot or cold drinks can temporarily alter an oral temperature. The nurse should wait about 15 minutes and place the thermometer correctly…
Correct answer: Wait about 15 minutes before measuring it- A. Ask the patient to describe the pain only at the next shift
- B. Reassess the pain after the expected onset of the analgesic
- C. Record the pain as absent because medicine was administered
- D. Use the patient's pulse rate instead of asking about pain
Explanation: Pain is subjective, so the patient's rating remains the main measure of response.
Correct answer: Reassess the pain after the expected onset of the analgesic- A. Recheck the pulse after the patient rests quietly
- B. Document the value as the patient’s baseline
- C. Apply a cold compress to reduce the pulse
- D. Ask the patient to walk to confirm the reading
Explanation: A resting pulse above the expected adult range should first be confirmed after the patient rests quietly, using a full one-minute count if…
Correct answer: Recheck the pulse after the patient rests quietly- A. Tell the patient to breathe deeply for one minute
- B. Count chest movements while pretending to assess the pulse
- C. Ask the patient to hold the breath during counting
- D. Count only the inspirations for thirty seconds
Explanation: The nurse can continue holding the patient’s wrist after counting the pulse and discreetly observe chest or abdominal movements.
Correct answer: Count chest movements while pretending to assess the pulse8. Which adult oxygen saturation reading is generally expected when measured accurately on room air?
- A. 82% to 86%
- B. 88% to 92%
- C. 95% to 100%
- D. 101% to 105%
Explanation: For most healthy adults at sea level, oxygen saturation is generally about 95% to 100% on room air.
Correct answer: 95% to 100%- A. Record the temperature without further assessment
- B. Recheck the temperature immediately using the same method
- C. Assess the patient and confirm the temperature after warming
- D. Give an antipyretic before checking other findings
Explanation: Shivering and environmental exposure can affect the temperature reading and also indicate a possible developing fever.
Correct answer: Assess the patient and confirm the temperature after warming- A. Sleep
- B. Moderate exercise
- C. Beta blocker therapy
- D. Deep relaxation
Explanation: Moderate exercise increases sympathetic activity and normally raises the pulse temporarily.
Correct answer: Moderate exercise- A. Ignore the readings because the patient has no symptoms
- B. Repeat the measurement and assess for related symptoms
- C. Give an antihypertensive dose without a prescription
- D. Ask the patient to exercise before the next reading
Explanation: A progressive rise is a clinically important trend even when the patient feels well.
Correct answer: Repeat the measurement and assess for related symptoms- A. Standing with the arm unsupported
- B. Sitting with feet supported and arm at heart level
- C. Cross-legged with the arm below the heart
- D. Supine with the arm hanging beside the body
Explanation: A supported back, uncrossed feet, and an arm supported at heart level help reduce measurement error.
Correct answer: Sitting with feet supported and arm at heart level- A. Pain score of 7 out of 10
- B. Pulse rate of 124 beats per minute
- C. Blood pressure of 88/54 mmHg with shock signs
- D. Cool skin after the patient received analgesia
Explanation: Hypotension combined with tachycardia, cool clammy skin, and chest pain suggests impaired circulation and possible shock or acute cardiac…
Correct answer: Blood pressure of 88/54 mmHg with shock signs- A. Increase the oxygen flow immediately without reassessment
- B. Warm the hand and reposition the sensor before rechecking
- C. Document severe hypoxaemia and leave the patient undisturbed
- D. Place the sensor over a blood pressure cuff for a stronger signal
Explanation: Cold peripheral tissue and a weak signal can cause an inaccurate low saturation reading.
Correct answer: Warm the hand and reposition the sensor before rechecking- A. 48 beats per minute
- B. 76 beats per minute
- C. 108 beats per minute
- D. 124 beats per minute
Explanation: A normal resting adult pulse is generally 60 to 100 beats per minute, so 76 is expected.
Correct answer: 76 beats per minute- A. The systolic pressure reads falsely low
- B. The diastolic pressure reads falsely low
- C. Both pressures read falsely high
- D. The pulse rate reads falsely high
Explanation: A cuff that is too small or narrow requires greater pressure to compress the artery, producing a falsely high blood pressure reading.
Correct answer: Both pressures read falsely high- A. Count for 15 seconds and multiply by four
- B. Count for 30 seconds and multiply by two
- C. Count the apical pulse for a full minute
- D. Estimate the rate from the monitor display
Explanation: An irregular pulse should be counted at the apical site for a full minute to identify the true rate and rhythm.
Correct answer: Count the apical pulse for a full minute- A. Recheck the temperature using the same device
- B. Call the rapid response team immediately
- C. Give an antipyretic without a prescription
- D. Document the reading without further assessment
Explanation: The nurse should verify an unexpected abnormal finding and assess the patient before deciding whether escalation is needed.
Correct answer: Recheck the temperature using the same device- A. Radial artery at the wrist
- B. Dorsalis pedis artery on the foot
- C. Carotid artery in the neck
- D. Posterior tibial artery behind the ankle
Explanation: The carotid pulse is a central pulse and is more dependable when peripheral circulation is poor.
Correct answer: Carotid artery in the neck- A. Assist the patient back to a safe position
- B. Ask the patient to walk to improve circulation
- C. Repeat the reading after strenuous exercise
- D. Record the result as a normal variation
Explanation: Dizziness with a substantial postural fall in blood pressure creates an immediate risk of syncope and injury.
Correct answer: Assist the patient back to a safe positionVital Signs and Monitoring MCQs: common questions
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