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Intake vitals practice questions

31 questions from the medical assistant practice test.

Intake vitals practice test

10 questions, graded as you go, with the reason for every answer. No sign-up.

What this covers

Sample questions

An adult's resting pulse is 52 beats per minute. How is this documented?

  1. Arrhythmia
  2. Bradycardia
  3. Tachycardia
  4. Bradypnea
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B. Bradycardia

A heart rate under 60 is bradycardia. Bradypnea sounds similar but refers to slow breathing, and arrhythmia describes an irregular rhythm, not a slow rate.

Reference: Clinical patient care: vital signs

A medical assistant finds a regular radial pulse. What is the accepted shortcut for counting it?

  1. Count for 10 seconds and multiply by 6
  2. Count for 6 seconds and multiply by 10
  3. Count for 30 seconds and multiply by 2
  4. Count for 5 seconds and multiply by 12
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C. Count for 30 seconds and multiply by 2

With a regular rhythm, a 30-second count doubled is accurate enough. Shorter counts magnify any miscount, and an irregular pulse must be counted for a full minute.

Reference: Clinical patient care: vital signs

While taking a radial pulse, the medical assistant notices the rhythm is irregular. What should be done?

  1. Count the pulse for one full minute
  2. Count for 15 seconds and multiply by 4
  3. Switch to the other wrist and count for 30 seconds
  4. Record the rate from the pulse oximeter instead
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A. Count the pulse for one full minute

An irregular rhythm must be counted for a full 60 seconds (many offices take it apically) and the irregularity documented. Short counts multiplied up can miss or double-count the uneven beats.

Reference: Clinical patient care: vital signs

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