Vital signs are key indicators of a patient’s physiological status and are essential for clinical assessment and monitoring. Pharm.D. students must understand how to measure, interpret, and apply vital sign data to provide comprehensive pharmaceutical care. This quiz covers foundational concepts related to vital signs, aligned with courses such as PHA5561 and CIPPE.
1. Which of the following is NOT considered a vital sign?
- A. Blood pressure
- B. Heart rate
- C. Respiratory rate
- D. Blood glucose level
Correct answer: D. Blood glucose level
2. The normal resting adult heart rate is typically:
- A. 30-50 beats per minute
- B. 60-100 beats per minute
- C. 100-130 beats per minute
- D. 140-180 beats per minute
Correct answer: B. 60-100 beats per minute
3. Blood pressure is measured in:
- A. Milligrams per deciliter
- B. Millimeters of mercury (mmHg)
- C. Beats per minute
- D. Liters per minute
Correct answer: B. Millimeters of mercury (mmHg)
4. The systolic blood pressure represents:
- A. Pressure during heart relaxation
- B. Pressure during heart contraction
- C. Average pressure throughout the cardiac cycle
- D. Pressure in the veins
Correct answer: B. Pressure during heart contraction
5. A normal adult respiratory rate is:
- A. 8-12 breaths per minute
- B. 12-20 breaths per minute
- C. 20-30 breaths per minute
- D. 30-40 breaths per minute
Correct answer: B. 12-20 breaths per minute
6. Which site is commonly used to measure pulse rate?
- A. Radial artery
- B. Femoral artery
- C. Popliteal artery
- D. Carotid artery
Correct answer: A. Radial artery
7. What does the diastolic blood pressure represent?
- A. Pressure during heart contraction
- B. Pressure during heart relaxation
- C. Maximum pressure in arteries
- D. Pressure in the lungs
Correct answer: B. Pressure during heart relaxation
8. What is considered hypertension in adults based on blood pressure?
- A. Systolic ≥ 120 mmHg
- B. Diastolic < 80 mmHg
- C. Systolic ≥ 140 mmHg or diastolic ≥ 90 mmHg
- D. Diastolic < 60 mmHg
Correct answer: C. Systolic ≥ 140 mmHg or diastolic ≥ 90 mmHg
9. Which of the following factors can affect pulse rate?
- A. Exercise
- B. Emotions
- C. Medication
- D. All of the above
Correct answer: D. All of the above
10. Tachycardia refers to:
- A. Slow heart rate
- B. Fast heart rate
- C. Normal heart rate
- D. Irregular heart rhythm
Correct answer: B. Fast heart rate
11. Bradycardia is defined as a heart rate below:
- A. 60 beats per minute
- B. 80 beats per minute
- C. 100 beats per minute
- D. 40 beats per minute
Correct answer: A. 60 beats per minute
12. Which of the following is a common method to measure respiratory rate?
- A. Using a stethoscope only
- B. Counting chest rises and falls per minute
- C. Measuring oxygen saturation
- D. Measuring heart rate
Correct answer: B. Counting chest rises and falls per minute
13. Pulse oximetry measures:
- A. Blood glucose levels
- B. Oxygen saturation of hemoglobin
- C. Carbon dioxide levels
- D. Blood pressure
Correct answer: B. Oxygen saturation of hemoglobin
14. A normal oxygen saturation (SpO2) level is typically:
- A. 50-60%
- B. 75-80%
- C. 95-100%
- D. 110-120%
Correct answer: C. 95-100%
15. Which condition might cause a low oxygen saturation reading?
- A. Anemia
- B. Respiratory diseases like COPD or asthma
- C. Dehydration
- D. Hypertension
Correct answer: B. Respiratory diseases like COPD or asthma
16. Blood pressure readings vary depending on:
- A. Position of the patient
- B. Time of day
- C. Stress levels
- D. All of the above
Correct answer: D. All of the above
17. Orthostatic hypotension is diagnosed when:
- A. Blood pressure drops significantly upon standing
- B. Pulse rate increases when lying down
- C. Blood pressure increases with exercise
- D. Pulse is irregular
Correct answer: A. Blood pressure drops significantly upon standing
18. Which of the following is NOT a recommended site to measure blood pressure?
- A. Upper arm
- B. Forearm
- C. Thigh
- D. Finger
Correct answer: D. Finger
19. Which is a normal pulse characteristic?
- A. Irregular and weak
- B. Regular and strong
- C. Absent
- D. Variable only during sleep
Correct answer: B. Regular and strong
20. The Korotkoff sounds are:
- A. Sounds heard when measuring blood pressure using a cuff and stethoscope
- B. Sounds of the lungs
- C. Heart murmurs
- D. Bowel sounds
Correct answer: A. Sounds heard when measuring blood pressure using a cuff and stethoscope
21. Which condition is indicated by a blood pressure consistently below 90/60 mmHg?
- A. Hypertension
- B. Hypotension
- C. Tachycardia
- D. Hyperglycemia
Correct answer: B. Hypotension
22. Fever can influence which vital sign?
- A. Blood glucose
- B. Respiratory rate
- C. Temperature and heart rate
- D. Blood pressure only
Correct answer: C. Temperature and heart rate
23. What instrument is used to measure body temperature?
- A. Sphygmomanometer
- B. Thermometer
- C. Stethoscope
- D. Pulse oximeter
Correct answer: B. Thermometer
24. Which of the following is NOT a normal body temperature?
- A. 36.5°C (97.7°F)
- B. 37.0°C (98.6°F)
- C. 39.5°C (103.1°F)
- D. 36.0°C (96.8°F)
Correct answer: C. 39.5°C (103.1°F)
25. What is the significance of measuring vital signs in pharmacy practice?
- A. To diagnose all illnesses
- B. To assess patient’s baseline health and monitor therapy effects
- C. To replace laboratory tests
- D. For billing purposes
Correct answer: B. To assess patient’s baseline health and monitor therapy effects
26. Which of the following can cause inaccurate blood pressure readings?
- A. Using a cuff that is too small or too large
- B. Patient’s arm position
- C. Talking during measurement
- D. All of the above
Correct answer: D. All of the above
27. The pulse pressure is calculated as:
- A. Systolic minus diastolic blood pressure
- B. Diastolic minus systolic blood pressure
- C. Heart rate multiplied by respiratory rate
- D. Blood pressure divided by heart rate
Correct answer: A. Systolic minus diastolic blood pressure
28. Which of the following vital signs indicates cardiovascular status?
- A. Respiratory rate
- B. Heart rate and blood pressure
- C. Oxygen saturation only
- D. Temperature only
Correct answer: B. Heart rate and blood pressure
29. When should vital signs be monitored more frequently?
- A. In stable patients only
- B. During acute illness or medication changes
- C. When pharmacy is busy
- D. For routine refills only
Correct answer: B. During acute illness or medication changes
30. Which vital sign is commonly affected by anxiety or stress?
- A. Temperature
- B. Heart rate and blood pressure
- C. Respiratory rate only
- D. Oxygen saturation
Correct answer: B. Heart rate and blood pressure
31. The auscultatory method is used to measure:
- A. Temperature
- B. Blood pressure
- C. Respiratory rate
- D. Heart rate
Correct answer: B. Blood pressure
32. Cyanosis is a sign of:
- A. Poor oxygenation
- B. Hypertension
- C. Fever
- D. Bradycardia
Correct answer: A. Poor oxygenation
33. The normal range for adult body temperature is approximately:
- A. 34.0-35.0°C
- B. 36.1-37.2°C
- C. 38.0-39.0°C
- D. 40.0-41.0°C
Correct answer: B. 36.1-37.2°C
34. Which method is NOT commonly used for measuring temperature?
- A. Oral
- B. Tympanic (ear)
- C. Axillary (underarm)
- D. Palpation
Correct answer: D. Palpation
35. A pulse rate above 100 beats per minute is called:
- A. Bradycardia
- B. Tachycardia
- C. Arrhythmia
- D. Hypertension
Correct answer: B. Tachycardia
36. What does an irregular pulse indicate?
- A. Consistent heart rhythm
- B. Possible arrhythmia or cardiac issue
- C. Normal heart function
- D. Low blood pressure
Correct answer: B. Possible arrhythmia or cardiac issue
37. Which is the most common site to measure respiratory rate?
- A. Mouth
- B. Chest rise and fall observation
- C. Finger
- D. Nose only
Correct answer: B. Chest rise and fall observation
38. Which vital sign is most useful in assessing respiratory function?
- A. Blood pressure
- B. Respiratory rate and oxygen saturation
- C. Heart rate
- D. Temperature
Correct answer: B. Respiratory rate and oxygen saturation
39. The term “apnea” refers to:
- A. Rapid breathing
- B. Temporary cessation of breathing
- C. Deep breathing
- D. Labored breathing
Correct answer: B. Temporary cessation of breathing
40. When taking blood pressure, the patient’s arm should be:
- A. Lower than heart level
- B. At heart level and supported
- C. Raised above the head
- D. Dangling freely
Correct answer: B. At heart level and supported
41. Which vital sign can indicate early shock if abnormally low?
- A. Oxygen saturation
- B. Blood pressure
- C. Temperature
- D. Respiratory rate
Correct answer: B. Blood pressure
42. The pulse is typically palpated for:
- A. 5 seconds only
- B. 15 to 30 seconds, then multiplied to a full minute if irregular
- C. 10 minutes
- D. 1 second
Correct answer: B. 15 to 30 seconds, then multiplied to a full minute if irregular
43. A patient with a fever might experience:
- A. Decreased heart rate
- B. Increased heart rate and respiratory rate
- C. Lower blood pressure
- D. No change in vital signs
Correct answer: B. Increased heart rate and respiratory rate
44. Blood pressure cuff size affects:
- A. Accuracy of blood pressure measurement
- B. Time taken for measurement
- C. Patient comfort only
- D. None of the above
Correct answer: A. Accuracy of blood pressure measurement
45. When measuring vital signs, the environment should be:
- A. Quiet and comfortable
- B. Noisy and bright
- C. Cold and drafty
- D. Crowded and busy
Correct answer: A. Quiet and comfortable
46. The presence of “pulse deficit” suggests:
- A. A discrepancy between heartbeats and pulse rate
- B. Normal pulse
- C. High blood pressure
- D. Low respiratory rate
Correct answer: A. A discrepancy between heartbeats and pulse rate
47. Which vital sign can indicate dehydration?
- A. Increased heart rate and low blood pressure
- B. Low respiratory rate
- C. High oxygen saturation
- D. Elevated body temperature only
Correct answer: A. Increased heart rate and low blood pressure
48. The term “febrile” means:
- A. Having a fever
- B. Normal temperature
- C. Low blood pressure
- D. Rapid pulse
Correct answer: A. Having a fever
49. Respiratory rate can be affected by:
- A. Anxiety
- B. Physical activity
- C. Medications
- D. All of the above
Correct answer: D. All of the above
50. Vital signs should be documented:
- A. Only if abnormal
- B. For every patient interaction as appropriate
- C. Only by physicians
- D. Only during emergencies
Correct answer: B. For every patient interaction as appropriate