Vital Signs
What is the normal range for an adult's resting heart rate?
60-100 beats per minute.
What is the term for using your hands to feel a patient's body during a physical examination?
Palpation
What is the term for an elevated heart rate above 100 beats per minute?
Tachycardia.
What is the first step before performing any nursing procedure on a patient?
Wash your hands (Hand hygiene).
What is the normal range for an adult's respiratory rate?
12-20 breaths per minute.
What assessment technique involves listening to internal body sounds with a stethoscope?
Auscultation
What is the medical term for yellowing of the skin and eyes, often indicative of liver dysfunction?
Jaundice.
What should the nurse do if unsure about a sound heard during auscultation?
Have a second opinion from another nurse to confirm the findings before taking further action.
What term is used to describe a body temperature above 100.4°F?
Fever
What term refers to the process of tapping on the body to assess underlying structures?
Percussion
What is the term used to describe shortness of breath or difficulty breathing?
Dyspnea.
What is the correct method for measuring a patient's pulse rate?
Place two fingers (not the thumb) on the patient's wrist, in the area of the radial artery, and count the beats for 30 seconds, then multiply by 2 to get the beats per minute.
What does a blood pressure reading of 160/90 mm Hg indicate?
Hypertension
What is the first step in performing a physical assessment?
Inspection (visual examination)
What is the term for swelling due to excess fluid accumulation, commonly seen in the legs or abdomen?
Edema
Which nursing skill involves listening to the heart, lungs, or bowel sounds using a stethoscope?
Auscultation.
What is the term for low blood oxygen saturation levels, typically below 90%?
Hypoxemia.
What is the purpose of assessing a patient’s level of consciousness using the Glasgow Coma Scale (GCS)?
To assess the patient's neurological status and responsiveness.
What term is used to describe the bluish discoloration of the skin due to lack of oxygen?
Cyanosis.
What should the nurse do if a patient experiences a sudden drop in blood pressure while standing?
Assist the patient to a sitting or lying position and monitor vital signs. This could be a sign of orthostatic hypotension.