ATI VITAL SIGNS ACTUAL EXAM PAPER 2026
QUESTIONS WITH SOLUTIONS GRADED A+
⫸ You are preparing to use a tympanic thermometer. Which of the
following steps has the highest priority in the accurate use of this
piece of equipment for measuring body... Answer: Gently pulling the
pinna back and upward
-A tympanic thermometer is probably not the best choice when the
patient's ears show signs of infection, inflammation, or trauma
because of the risk of further damage, pain, or contamination. But the
device would still register temperature accurately.
⫸ You are assessing the vital signs of a newly admitted patient. To
establish an accurate baseline of the patient's respiration you Answer:
Observe the patient's chest movements while appearing to assess his
pulse
-You are mostly likely to observe the true respiratory pattern (rate,
rhythm, and depth) when the patient is unaware that he is being
assessed. When patients know their respiration is being observed, it is
common for them to alter their respiratory pattern either voluntarily or
involuntarily.
⫸ When assessing a patient's respiration, it is recommended that the
patient... Answer: Have the head of the bed elevated 45 to 60 degrees
, -This is a comfortable position for most patients and it allows full
ventilatory movement. Also, any type of discomfort can increase
respiratory rate.
⫸ To auscultate a patient's apical pulse accurately, you position the
bell or the diaphragm on your stethoscope over the point of maximal
impusel, which is located... Answer: at the fifth intercostal space at
the left midclavicular line
-To locate the point of maximal impulse, first located the angle of
Louis - bony prominence just below the suprasternal notch. Slide you
fingers down each side of the angle of Louis to locate the second
intercostal space. Gently move your fingers down the left side of the
sternum to the fifth intercostal space and laterally to the left
midclavicular line. You have found the PMI.
⫸ The best way to determine the depth of a patient's respiration is
to... Answer: observe the degree of chest wall movements during
inspiration and expiration
-You determine the depth of respiration subjectively by evaluating
how much chest wall movement you can observe. The movement is
generated by the movement of the diaphragm and intercostal muscles
as the patient breathes. With shallow respiration, for example, you
will observe very little movement. Deep respiration involves full
expansions for the lungs which is usually quite visible
QUESTIONS WITH SOLUTIONS GRADED A+
⫸ You are preparing to use a tympanic thermometer. Which of the
following steps has the highest priority in the accurate use of this
piece of equipment for measuring body... Answer: Gently pulling the
pinna back and upward
-A tympanic thermometer is probably not the best choice when the
patient's ears show signs of infection, inflammation, or trauma
because of the risk of further damage, pain, or contamination. But the
device would still register temperature accurately.
⫸ You are assessing the vital signs of a newly admitted patient. To
establish an accurate baseline of the patient's respiration you Answer:
Observe the patient's chest movements while appearing to assess his
pulse
-You are mostly likely to observe the true respiratory pattern (rate,
rhythm, and depth) when the patient is unaware that he is being
assessed. When patients know their respiration is being observed, it is
common for them to alter their respiratory pattern either voluntarily or
involuntarily.
⫸ When assessing a patient's respiration, it is recommended that the
patient... Answer: Have the head of the bed elevated 45 to 60 degrees
, -This is a comfortable position for most patients and it allows full
ventilatory movement. Also, any type of discomfort can increase
respiratory rate.
⫸ To auscultate a patient's apical pulse accurately, you position the
bell or the diaphragm on your stethoscope over the point of maximal
impusel, which is located... Answer: at the fifth intercostal space at
the left midclavicular line
-To locate the point of maximal impulse, first located the angle of
Louis - bony prominence just below the suprasternal notch. Slide you
fingers down each side of the angle of Louis to locate the second
intercostal space. Gently move your fingers down the left side of the
sternum to the fifth intercostal space and laterally to the left
midclavicular line. You have found the PMI.
⫸ The best way to determine the depth of a patient's respiration is
to... Answer: observe the degree of chest wall movements during
inspiration and expiration
-You determine the depth of respiration subjectively by evaluating
how much chest wall movement you can observe. The movement is
generated by the movement of the diaphragm and intercostal muscles
as the patient breathes. With shallow respiration, for example, you
will observe very little movement. Deep respiration involves full
expansions for the lungs which is usually quite visible
