This free Fundamentals of Nursing Practice Test #3 covers vital signs and assessment — pulse, blood pressure, respirations, temperature, oxygen saturation, pain, and physical assessment. Work through 10 timed questions, then check every answer with the full rationales below. No sign-up required.
All 10 Questions With Answers & Rationales
Prefer to work at your own pace? Every question from the timed quiz above is listed here in full. Choose your answer, then tap Show Answer & Rationale to check it.
Question 1: Pulse
Where should the nurse place the stethoscope to count an adult's apical pulse?
- A. Second intercostal space at the right sternal border
- B. Fourth intercostal space at the right midclavicular line
- C. Fifth intercostal space at the left midclavicular line
- D. Over the xiphoid process
Show Answer & Rationale
Answer: C. Fifth intercostal space at the left midclavicular line
Rationale: The apex of the heart, where the apical pulse is loudest, is usually at the fifth intercostal space in the left midclavicular line in adults. The second right intercostal space is the aortic area.
Question 2: Pulse
Before giving digoxin, how long should the nurse count the apical pulse?
- A. 15 seconds and multiply by 4
- B. One full minute
- C. 30 seconds and multiply by 2
- D. Until the rhythm sounds regular
Show Answer & Rationale
Answer: B. One full minute
Rationale: Digoxin slows the heart rate and can cause dysrhythmias, so the apical pulse is counted for a full minute to catch irregular beats and an accurate rate. Follow the provider's hold parameters; a commonly taught threshold is to hold and report an adult rate below 60.
Question 3: Blood Pressure
A nurse uses a blood pressure cuff that is too small for the client's arm. How will this affect the reading?
- A. The reading will be falsely high
- B. The reading will be falsely low
- C. The reading will not be affected
- D. Only the diastolic reading will change
Show Answer & Rationale
Answer: A. The reading will be falsely high
Rationale: A cuff that is too small needs more pressure to compress the artery, so the reading is falsely high. A cuff that is too large gives a falsely low reading. The bladder should encircle about 80% of the upper arm.
Question 4: Respirations
What is the best way for the nurse to count a client's respiratory rate?
- A. Tell the client to breathe normally while you count
- B. Count while still appearing to take the pulse
- C. Ask the client to count their own breaths
- D. Count for 10 seconds and multiply by 6
Show Answer & Rationale
Answer: B. Count while still appearing to take the pulse
Rationale: People change their breathing when they know it is being watched. Counting while the fingers stay on the pulse gives a more natural rate. Count for 30 seconds if regular, or a full minute if irregular.
Question 5: Respirations
What is the normal resting respiratory rate for a healthy adult?
- A. 8 to 10 breaths per minute
- B. 20 to 30 breaths per minute
- C. 12 to 20 breaths per minute
- D. 30 to 40 breaths per minute
Show Answer & Rationale
Answer: C. 12 to 20 breaths per minute
Rationale: A normal adult resting respiratory rate is about 12 to 20 breaths per minute. A rate over 20 is tachypnea and below 12 is bradypnea. Infants and children breathe faster.
Question 6: Oxygen Saturation
An alert client who is talking comfortably has a pulse oximeter reading of 84%. The finger is cold. What should the nurse do first?
- A. Assess the client and check the sensor placement
- B. Start oxygen at 6 L by nasal cannula
- C. Call a rapid response
- D. Document the reading and recheck in an hour
Show Answer & Rationale
Answer: A. Assess the client and check the sensor placement
Rationale: A reading that does not match how the client looks may be an error. Cold fingers, movement, and nail polish can all cause falsely low readings. The nurse assesses the client and moves the sensor to a warm site, such as the earlobe. If the client shows signs of distress, treat the client, not the number.
Question 7: Pain
Which tool should the nurse use to assess pain in a client with advanced dementia who cannot give a rating?
- A. A 0–10 numeric rating scale
- B. The Wong-Baker FACES scale
- C. A behavioral pain scale such as PAINAD
- D. A verbal descriptor scale
Show Answer & Rationale
Answer: C. A behavioral pain scale such as PAINAD
Rationale: Clients who cannot self-report need an observation-based tool. PAINAD scores breathing, vocalization, facial expression, body language, and consolability. Numeric, verbal, and FACES scales all depend on the client choosing a rating.
Question 8: Blood Pressure
Which finding indicates orthostatic hypotension?
- A. A rise of 10 mm Hg systolic on standing
- B. A drop of 5 mm Hg diastolic on standing
- C. A heart rate that stays the same on standing
- D. A drop of at least 20 mm Hg systolic within 3 minutes of standing
Show Answer & Rationale
Answer: D. A drop of at least 20 mm Hg systolic within 3 minutes of standing
Rationale: Orthostatic hypotension is a drop of at least 20 mm Hg systolic or at least 10 mm Hg diastolic within 3 minutes of standing. It raises fall risk, so the client should change position slowly.
Question 9: Temperature
How should the nurse straighten the ear canal to take a tympanic temperature on an adult?
- A. Pull the pinna down and back
- B. Pull the earlobe straight down
- C. Push the tragus forward
- D. Pull the pinna up and back
Show Answer & Rationale
Answer: D. Pull the pinna up and back
Rationale: In adults, pulling the pinna up and back straightens the ear canal so the probe can sense the tympanic membrane. In children under about 3 years, the pinna is pulled down and back.
Question 10: Assessment
In what order should the nurse assess the abdomen?
- A. Inspect, palpate, percuss, auscultate
- B. Inspect, auscultate, percuss, palpate
- C. Palpate, percuss, auscultate, inspect
- D. Auscultate, inspect, palpate, percuss
Show Answer & Rationale
Answer: B. Inspect, auscultate, percuss, palpate
Rationale: The abdomen is the exception to the usual order. Auscultation comes right after inspection because percussion and palpation can change bowel sounds.
Fundamentals of Nursing Practice Tests
Six free, timed tests on the nursing basics — every question with a full rationale. Work through all six to build speed and confidence.
Safety, Infection Control & Priorities
Hand hygiene, PPE, fire safety, falls, positioning, vital signs, documentation, delegation, and prioritization.
Infection Control & Asepsis
Isolation precautions, PPE order, sterile technique, sterile gloves, hand hygiene, and sharps safety.
Vital Signs & Assessment
Apical pulse, blood pressure errors, respirations, temperature, oxygen saturation, pain scales, and abdominal assessment.
Hygiene, Mobility & Body Mechanics
Body mechanics, transfers, canes, crutches, walkers, oral care, foot care, and immobility.
Medication Administration
Client identifiers, IM sites, sublingual meds, eye and ear drops, mixing insulin, and NG tube meds.
Communication, Legal & Ethics
Therapeutic communication, informed consent, HIPAA, restraints, advance directives, SBAR, and ethics.
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