The absence of breathing is referred to as:

a. apnea
b. eupnea
c. bradypnea
d. tachypnea
Reference: Apnea is referred to as the absence of breathing. Breathing that is normal in rate and depth is called eupnea.
Abnormally slow respirations are referred to as bradypnea. Abnormally fast respirations are called tachypnea.

If taking a patient's pulse for the first time, when obtaining baseline data, or if the pulse is irregular, count for:

a. a full minute
b. 30 seconds
c. 15 seconds and multiply by 4
d. 2 minutes
Reference: In assessing a peripheral pulse, count for 15 seconds and multiply by 4. If taking a patient's pulse for the first
time, when obtaining baseline data, or if the pulse is irregular, count for a full minute.

Gurgling sounds heard as air passes through moist secretions in the respiratory tract:

a. bubbling
b. stridor
c. stertor
d. wheeze
Reference: Bubbling - gurgling sounds heard as air passes through moist secretions in the respiratory tract. Stridor - a
shrill, harsh sound heard during inspiration with laryngeal obstruction. Stertor - snoring or sonorous respiration, usually
due to a partial obstruction of the upper airway. Wheeze - continuous, high-pitched musical squeak or whistling sound
occurring on expiration and sometimes on inspiration when air moves through a narrowed or partially obstructed
airway.

A wave of blood created by contraction of the left ventricle of the heart:

a. pulse
b. cardiac output
c. blood pressure
d. murmur
Reference: The pulse is a wave of blood created by contraction of the left ventricle of the heart. This wave represents
the stroke volume output and the amount of blood that enters the arteries with each ventricular contraction.

Underexpansion of the lungs characterized by shallow respirations:

a. Hypoventilation
b. Tachypnea
c. Bradypnea
d. Hyperventilation
Reference: Hypoventilation is the underexpansion of the lungs characterized by shallow respirations.

Measured in degrees, this vital sign reflects the balance between the heat produced and the heat lost from the body:

a. Body temperature
b. Core temperature
c. Surface temperature
d. Basal body temperature
Reference: Body temperature reflects the balance between the heat produced and the heat lost from the body. Core
and surface temperatures are two kinds of body temperature. Core temperature (relatively constant) is the temperature
of the deep tissues of the body, such as the abdominal and pelvic cavities. Surface temperature (rises and falls in
response to the environment) is the temperature of the skin, the subcutaneous tissue and fat. Basal body temperature is
the lowest temperature attained by the body during rest (usually during sleep).

Overexpansion of the lungs characterized by rapid and deep breaths:

a. Hyperventilation
b. Hypoventilation
c. Tachypnea
d. Bradypnea
Reference: Hyperventilation is overexpansion of the lungs characterized by rapid and deep breaths. Hypoventilation is
the underexpansion of the lungs characterized by shallow respirations. Tachypnea - quick, shallow breaths. Bradypnea -
abnormally slow breathing.

A shrill, harsh sound heard during inspiration with laryngeal obstruction:

a. stridor
b. stertor
c. wheeze
d. bubbling
Reference: Stridor - a shrill, harsh sound heard during inspiration with laryngeal obstruction. Stertor - snoring or
sonorous respiration, usually due to a partial obstruction of the upper airway. Wheeze - continuous, high-pitched
musical squeak or whistling sound occurring on expiration and sometimes on inspiration when air moves through a
narrowed or partially obstructed airway. Bubbling - gurgling sounds heard as air passes through moist secretions in the
respiratory tract.

A pulse with an irregular rhythm that may consist of random, irregular beats or a predictable pattern of irregular beats:

a. dysrhythmia
b. tachycardia
c. bradycardia
d. fibrillation
Reference: Dysrhythmia (also known as arrhythmia) is a pulse with an irregular rhythm. An electrocardiogram is
necessary to define the dysrhythmia further.

A blood pressure that is persistently above normal is called:

a. hypertension
b. hypotension
c. primary hypertension
d. secondary hypertension
Reference: Hypertension is a blood pressure that is persistently above normal. Hypotension is a blood pressure below
normal. An elevated blood pressure of unknown cause is called primary hypertension. An elevated blood pressure of
known cause is called secondary hypertension.

The average blood pressure of a healthy adult is:

a. 120/80 mm Hg
b. 130/70 mm Hg
c. 110/60 mm Hg
d. 140/90 mm Hg
Reference: The average blood pressure of a healthy adult is 120/80 mm Hg.

If a patient's usual blood pressure is 170/100 mm Hg, and it drops to 120/80 mm Hg post surgery, it must be:

a. reported to the physician immediately
b. monitored continually every hour
c. plotted in the chart and assessed again in 15 minutes
d. reported to the nurse on the next shift
Reference: Blood pressure can vary among individuals and it is important for nurses to know the baseline blood pressure
of patients. If a patient's usual blood pressure is 170/100 mm Hg, and it drops to 120/80 mm Hg post surgery, it must be
reported to the physician immediately.

The body usually has a small amount of warm air adjacent to it that rises and is replaced by cooler air. The dispersion of
heat by air currents is called:

a. Convection
b. Conduction
c. Radiation
d. Vaporization
Reference: Convection is the dispersion of heat by air currents. Conduction is the transfer of heat from one molecule
when in comes in contact to a molecule of lower temperature. Radiation is the transfer of heat from the surface of one
object to the surface of another without contact between the two objects. Vaporization is continuous evaporation of
moisture from the respiratory tract and from the mucosa of the mouth and from the skin.

This pulse site is usually used to measure blood pressure:

a. brachial
b. carotid
c. apical
d. popliteal
Reference: The brachial pulse site is used to measure blood pressure. The carotid is used in cases of cardiac arrest and to
determine circulation to the brain. The apical pulse is routinely used for infants and children up to 3 years of age, to
determine discrepancies with radial pulse and in conjunction with some medications. The popliteal pulse site is used to
determine circulation to the lower leg.

The interchange of oxygen and carbon dioxide between the circulating blood and the cells of the body tissues
(throughout the body):

a. internal respiration
b. external respiration
c. inhalation
d. expiration
Reference: Internal respiration is the interchange of oxygen and carbon dioxide between the circulating blood and the
cells of the body tissues. External respiration is the interchange of oxygen and carbon dioxide between the alveoli of the
lungs and the pulmonary blood. Inhalation or inspiration refers to the intake of air into the lungs. Exhalation or
expiration refers to breathing out or the movement of gases from the lungs to the atmosphere.

The pressure exerted by the blood as it flows through the arteries:

a. arterial blood pressure
b. systolic pressure
c. diastolic pressure
d. pulse pressure

Reference: Arterial blood pressure is a measure of the pressure exerted by the blood as it flows through the arteries.
Systolic pressure is the pressure of the blood as a result of contraction of the ventricles. Diastolic pressure is the
measure of the pressure when the ventricles are at rest. Pulse pressure is the difference the systolic and diastolic
pressure.

Abnormally slow respirations are referred to as:

a. bradypnea
b. tachypnea
c. apnea
d. eupnea
Reference: Abnormally slow respirations are referred to as bradypnea. Abnormally fast respirations are called
tachypnea. Apnea is referred to as the absence of breathing. Breathing that is normal in rate and depth is called eupnea.

During assessment of respiration, an inhalation and an exhalation count as how many respiration?

a. 1 b. 2
c. 3 d. 4
Reference: An inhalation and an exhalation count as one respiration.

Continuous, high-pitched musical squeak or whistling sound occurring on expiration and sometimes on inspiration when
air moves through a narrowed or partially obstructed airway:

a. wheeze
b. bubbling
c. stridor
d. stertor
Reference: Wheeze - continuous, high-pitched musical squeak or whistling sound occurring on expiration and sometimes
on inspiration when air moves through a narrowed or partially obstructed airway. Bubbling - gurgling sounds heard as air
passes through moist secretions in the respiratory tract. Stridor - a shrill, harsh sound heard during inspiration with
laryngeal obstruction. Stertor - snoring or sonorous respiration, usually due to a partial obstruction of the upper airway.

The ability to breathe only in upright sitting or standing positions is called:

a. Orthopnea
b. Dyspnea
c. Cheyne-Stokes breathing
d. Apnea
Reference: Orthopnea is the ability to breathe only in upright sitting or standing positions. Dyspnea is difficult and
labored breathing. Cheyne-Stokes breathing is the rhythmic waxing and waning of respirations, from very deep to very
shallow breathing and temporary apnea. Apnea is the cessation of breathing.

Abnormally fast respirations are called:

a. tachypnea
b. apnea
c. eupnea
d. bradypnea
Reference: Abnormally fast respirations are called tachypnea. Apnea is referred to as the absence of breathing.
Breathing that is normal in rate and depth is called eupnea. Abnormally slow respirations are referred to as bradypnea.



Heat loss from the body through continuous evaporation of moisture from the respiratory tract and from the mucosa of
the mouth and from the skin:

a. Vaporization
b. Convection
c. Conduction
d. Radiation
Reference: Vaporization is continuous evaporation of moisture from the respiratory tract and from the mucosa of the
mouth and from the skin. Convection is the dispersion of heat by air currents. Conduction is the transfer of heat from
one molecule when in comes in contact to a molecule of lower temperature. Radiation is the transfer of heat from the
surface of one object to the surface of another without contact between the two objects.

Breathing that is normal in rate and depth:

a. eupnea
b. bradypnea
c. tachypnea
d. apnea
Reference: Breathing that is normal in rate and depth is called eupnea. Abnormally slow respirations are referred to as
bradypnea. Abnormally fast respirations are called tachypnea and apnea is absence of breathing.

The interchange of oxygen and carbon dioxide between the alveoli of the lungs and the pulmonary blood:

a. external respiration b. internal respiration
c. inhalation d. expiration
Reference: External respiration is the interchange of oxygen and carbon dioxide between the alveoli of the lungs and the
pulmonary blood. Internal respiration is the interchange of oxygen and carbon dioxide between the circulating blood
and the cells of the body tissues. Inhalation or inspiration refers to the intake of air into the lungs. Exhalation or
expiration refers to breathing out or the movement of gases from the lungs to the atmosphere.

A pulse oximeter is a noninvasive device that measures a patient's arterial blood oxygen saturation (SaO2). What
percent of SaO2 reading is considered life threatening?

a. 100%
b. 95%
c. 80%
d. 60%

You answered "60%".
This is the correct answer.
Reference: Normal SaO2 is 95% to 100%. An SaO2 below 70% is life threatening.


Question 26
Snoring or sonorous respiration, usually due to a partial obstruction of the upper airway:

a. stertor
b. wheeze
c. bubbling
d. stridor

You answered "stertor".
This is the correct answer.
Reference: Stertor - snoring or sonorous respiration, usually due to a partial obstruction of the upper airway. Wheeze -
continuous, high-pitched musical squeak or whistling sound occurring on expiration and sometimes on inspiration when
air moves through a narrowed or partially obstructed airway. Bubbling - gurgling sounds heard as air passes through
moist secretions in the respiratory tract. Stridor - a shrill, harsh sound heard during inspiration with laryngeal
obstruction.


Question 27
The vital or cardinal signs are:

a. body temperature, pulse, respirations, blood pressure
b. body temperature, pulse, blood pressure, basal metabolic rate
c. core temperature, surface temperature, pulse, blood pressure
d. body temperature, pulse, blood pressure, ventilation

You answered "body temperature, pulse, respirations, blood pressure".
This is the correct answer.
Reference: The vital or cardinal signs are body temperature, pulse, respirations and blood pressure. Pulse oximetry is
also commonly measured as a traditional vital sign.


Question 28
The transfer of heat from one molecule when in comes in contact to a molecule of lower temperature is called:

a. Conduction
b. Radiation
c. Convection
d. Vaporization

You answered "Convection".
This is not the correct answer.
The correct answer is: "Conduction"
Reference: Conduction is the transfer of heat from one molecule when in comes in contact to a molecule of lower
temperature. Radiation is the transfer of heat from the surface of one object to the surface of another without contact
between the two objects. Convection is the dispersion of heat by air currents. Vaporization is continuous evaporation of
moisture from the respiratory tract and from the mucosa of the mouth and from the skin.


Question 29
The following are the times to assess vital signs except for:

a. When a patient doesn't have a change in health status or doesn't report any symptoms
b. On admission of patient to obtain baseline vital signs data
c. Before and after the patient undergoes surgery or any invasive procedure
d. Before and after any nursing intervention that could affect the patient's vital signs

You answered "When a patient doesn't have a change in health status or doesn't report any symptoms".
This is the correct answer.
Reference: Vital signs are assessed when a patient has a change in health status or reports symptoms such as chest pain
or feeling warm/hot.


Question 30
The transfer of heat from the surface of one object to the surface of another without contact between the two objects is
called:

a. Radiation
b. Conduction
c. Convection
d. Vaporization

You answered "Radiation".
This is the correct answer.
Reference: Radiation is the transfer of heat from the surface of one object to the surface of another without contact
between the two objects. Conduction is the transfer of heat from one molecule when in comes in contact to a molecule
of lower temperature. Convection is the dispersion of heat by air currents. Vaporization is continuous evaporation of
moisture from the respiratory tract and from the mucosa of the mouth and from the skin.