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PCHA TEST QUESTIONS AND
ANSWERS (LATEST UPDA TE)
Question : A 50-year-old patient who is taking anti-
hypertensive medications returns to the clinic to have their blood pressure (BP) checked. The last BP was 146/88. The BP reported to the nurse is 168/96. Both blood pressures were taken at the brachial site. Which of the following is true regarding blood pressure assessment
in this patient? Choose all that apply:
The patient should be allowed to adequately rest prior to assessing the blood pressure.
The width of the cuff should cover 40% of the circumference of the upper arm.
The position of the arm used for blood pressure assessment should be above the level of the heart.
Goal blood pressure for this patient should be systolic less than 120 mm Hg and diastolic less than 80 mmHg.
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The last audible sound auscultated during blood pressure assessment should be recorded for the systolic reading.
An unsupported arm may be used for an accurate blood pressure measure
CORRECT ANSWER: 1, 2, 4
Question : In the article by Rakotz, 'Medical students and
measuring blood pressure: Results from the American
Medical Association Blood Pressure Check Challenge', what are the consequences of poor technique when measuring blood pressure?
A 5- to 10-mm Hg error can result in an incorrect diagnosis of hypertension.
Poor technique can cause patients with hypertension that is controlled to appear uncontrolled.
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Without accurate blood pressure readings, improving blood pressure control in unlikely because physicians will not reliably know which patients need to be more aggressively treated and which do not.
CORRECT ANSWER: all of the above
Question : In the article by Cretikos, et al., 'Respiratory
rate: The neglected vital sign', a patient with a respiratory
rate of over 24 breaths/minute should be monitored more closely, even if other vital signs are normal.
CORRECT ANSWER: true
Question : Your client has a long history of chronic
obstructive pulmonary disease. Which of the following are you most likely to observe?
an anterior-posterior (AP) : transverse diameter ratio of
1:1.
pursed lip breathing
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tripod position when sitting
CORRECT ANSWER: all of the above
Question : When inspecting the anterior chest of an adult,
the nurse should assess for: (choose all that apply)
diaphragmatic excursion.
symmetric chest expansion.
the presence of breath sounds.
the shape and configuration of the chest wall.
retractions or bulging
skin temperature
