C HAPTER 12: V ITAL S IGNS
Cooper: Foundation of Nursing, 9th Edition
MULTIPLE CHOICE
1. What site should be selected if a peripheral pulse needs to be assessed
quickl y?
a. Radial pulse
b. Brachial pulse
c. Carotid pulse
d. Pedal pulse
ANS: C
The carotid site is the best for finding a pulse q uickl y.
DIF: Cognitive Level: Application REF: p. 293 OBJ: 5
TOP: Carotid KEY: Nursing Process Step:
Assessment MSC: NC LEX: Physiological Integrit y
2. What is the term for the exchange of carbon dioxide and oxygen that takes
place at the alveolar level?
a. Tachypnea
b. Internal respiration
c. External respiration
d. Bradypnea
, ANS: B
Internal respiration is the exchange of gas at the alveolar level.
DIF: Cognitive Level: Knowledge REF: p. 294 OBJ: 6
TOP: Internal respiration KEY: Nursing Process
Step: Implement ation MSC: NC LEX: Physiological
Integrit y
3. A patient is suspected of having a cardiac arrhythmia. The nurse is
concerned with the findings of an apical rate of 88 and a radial rate of 80.
What is the term for the difference between these two rates?
a. Pulse pressure
b. Unequal pulses
c. Pulse deficit
d. Tachycardia
ANS: C
The difference between radial and apical pulses is called a pulse
deficit.
DIF: Cognitive Level: Knowledge REF: p. 293 OBJ: 5
TOP: Pulse deficit KEY: Nursing Process
Step: Assessment MSC: NC LEX: Physiological Integrit y
4. The nurse is alarmed when a patient with a severe head injury of the
occipital lobe has a respiratory rate of 10 breaths/min. Where might this
finding indicate that there is an injury?
, a. Cerebellum
b. Medulla oblongata
c. Cortex
d. Cerebrum
ANS: B
Rate of respiration is controlled by the medulla oblongata.
DIF: Cognitive Level: Anal ysis REF: p. 294 OBJ: 6
TOP: Respiratory rate KEY: Nursing Process Step:
Assessment MSC: NC LEX: Physiological Integrit y
5. The nurse assesses respirations o f a patient demonstrating pursed -lip
breathing, flared nostrils, and retractions. How will the nurse describe
these respirations?
a. Tachypnea
b. Stertorous
c. Dyspnea
d. Cheyne-Stokes
ANS: C
The patient who is using ancillary muscles to breathe is exhibiting
dyspnea.
DIF: Cognitive Level: Anal ysis REF: p. 295 OBJ: 6
TOP: Dyspnea KEY: Nursing Process Step:
Assessment MSC: NC LEX: Physiological Integrit y
Cooper: Foundation of Nursing, 9th Edition
MULTIPLE CHOICE
1. What site should be selected if a peripheral pulse needs to be assessed
quickl y?
a. Radial pulse
b. Brachial pulse
c. Carotid pulse
d. Pedal pulse
ANS: C
The carotid site is the best for finding a pulse q uickl y.
DIF: Cognitive Level: Application REF: p. 293 OBJ: 5
TOP: Carotid KEY: Nursing Process Step:
Assessment MSC: NC LEX: Physiological Integrit y
2. What is the term for the exchange of carbon dioxide and oxygen that takes
place at the alveolar level?
a. Tachypnea
b. Internal respiration
c. External respiration
d. Bradypnea
, ANS: B
Internal respiration is the exchange of gas at the alveolar level.
DIF: Cognitive Level: Knowledge REF: p. 294 OBJ: 6
TOP: Internal respiration KEY: Nursing Process
Step: Implement ation MSC: NC LEX: Physiological
Integrit y
3. A patient is suspected of having a cardiac arrhythmia. The nurse is
concerned with the findings of an apical rate of 88 and a radial rate of 80.
What is the term for the difference between these two rates?
a. Pulse pressure
b. Unequal pulses
c. Pulse deficit
d. Tachycardia
ANS: C
The difference between radial and apical pulses is called a pulse
deficit.
DIF: Cognitive Level: Knowledge REF: p. 293 OBJ: 5
TOP: Pulse deficit KEY: Nursing Process
Step: Assessment MSC: NC LEX: Physiological Integrit y
4. The nurse is alarmed when a patient with a severe head injury of the
occipital lobe has a respiratory rate of 10 breaths/min. Where might this
finding indicate that there is an injury?
, a. Cerebellum
b. Medulla oblongata
c. Cortex
d. Cerebrum
ANS: B
Rate of respiration is controlled by the medulla oblongata.
DIF: Cognitive Level: Anal ysis REF: p. 294 OBJ: 6
TOP: Respiratory rate KEY: Nursing Process Step:
Assessment MSC: NC LEX: Physiological Integrit y
5. The nurse assesses respirations o f a patient demonstrating pursed -lip
breathing, flared nostrils, and retractions. How will the nurse describe
these respirations?
a. Tachypnea
b. Stertorous
c. Dyspnea
d. Cheyne-Stokes
ANS: C
The patient who is using ancillary muscles to breathe is exhibiting
dyspnea.
DIF: Cognitive Level: Anal ysis REF: p. 295 OBJ: 6
TOP: Dyspnea KEY: Nursing Process Step:
Assessment MSC: NC LEX: Physiological Integrit y
