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ATI Vital Signs Questions and Answers | Latest Version | 2025/2026 | Correct & Verified
Which site is considered the most accurate for measuring core body temperature?✔✔Rectal
What should the nurse do before taking an oral temperature on a patient who just drank iced water?✔✔Wait 15 to 30 minutes before measuring
What does a respiratory rate below 12 breaths per minute in an adult indicate?✔✔Bradypnea
Why is it important to use the correct cuff size when measuring blood pressure?✔✔Using the wrong size can give inaccurate readings
What is the expected systolic range for a healthy adult’s blood pressure?✔✔90 to 120 mm Hg 1 / 3
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Where should the nurse place the stethoscope when measuring apical pulse?✔✔At the fifth intercostal space, midclavicular line
What should the nurse assess first if a patient’s pulse oximeter reads 85%?✔✔Check for sensor placement and patient oxygenation
What is a reliable non-verbal indicator of acute pain in a patient?✔✔Facial grimacing or guarding behavior
What is the most appropriate site to check pulse in an unconscious adult?✔✔Carotid artery
Which vital sign is most likely to change first when a patient is experiencing hypovolemic shock?✔✔Heart rate
What is the clinical term for a heart rate over 100 beats per minute? 2 / 3
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✔✔Tachycardia
What action should a nurse take if they hear an irregular rhythm when checking radial pulse?✔✔Count the apical pulse for one full minute
Why is it important to avoid using a thumb when palpating a pulse?✔✔The thumb has its own pulse that can be confused with the patient’s
What is the expected temperature range for a healthy adult in Celsius?✔✔36.5°C to 37.5°C
What could an elevated temperature in the evening indicate if the morning reading was normal?✔✔A developing infection or febrile pattern
What should a nurse do if a blood pressure reading seems unusually low?✔✔Recheck the reading on the other arm and compare
How does anxiety typically affect vital signs?
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