Which of the following formulas should a medical assistant use to determine a patient's pulse rate?
Take the patient's pulse for 5 seconds and multiply by 10.
Take the patient's pulse for 15 seconds and multiply by 2.
Take the patient's pulse for 30 seconds and multiply by 4.
Take the patient's pulse for 30 seconds and multiply by 2.
The Correct Answer is D
A. Take the patient's pulse for 5 seconds and multiply by 10: Measuring for 5 seconds and multiplying by 10 is less accurate due to the short measurement time.
B. Take the patient's pulse for 15 seconds and multiply by 2: While this method is more accurate than taking it for 5 seconds, the recommended practice is to measure for 30 seconds for better accuracy.
C. Take the patient's pulse for 30 seconds and multiply by 4: This would be used to determine a pulse rate per minute from a 15-second measurement, not 30 seconds.
D. Take the patient's pulse for 30 seconds and multiply by 2: This method provides a precise measurement of the pulse rate, as taking the pulse for 30 seconds and then multiplying by 2 gives the number of beats per minute.
Free Nursing Test Bank
- Free Pharmacology Quiz 1
- Free Medical-Surgical Quiz 2
- Free Fundamentals Quiz 3
- Free Maternal-Newborn Quiz 4
- Free Anatomy and Physiology Quiz 5
- Free Obstetrics and Pediatrics Quiz 6
- Free Fluid and Electrolytes Quiz 7
- Free Community Health Quiz 8
- Free Promoting Health across the Lifespan Quiz 9
- Free Multidimensional Care Quiz 10
View Related questions
Correct Answer is B
Explanation
A. Capillary blood: Capillary blood can be used in some cases, especially in infants, but it is less accurate than arterial blood for measuring blood pH and gases.
B. Arterial blood: Arterial blood is the correct sample for measuring blood pH and gases (such as oxygen and carbon dioxide levels) because it reflects the gas exchange occurring in the lungs.
C. Venous blood: Venous blood is not typically used for measuring blood gases as it does not accurately reflect the oxygenation status of the body.
D. Cerebrospinal fluid: Cerebrospinal fluid is not used for measuring blood pH and gases; it is typically analyzed for conditions affecting the brain and spinal cord.
Correct Answer is A
Explanation
A. Irrigate the wound with sterile normal saline. Irrigating the wound with sterile normal saline is the appropriate action for cleaning a contaminated wound, as it helps to remove debris and reduce the risk of infection.
B. Insert liquid bandage into the wound. A liquid bandage is not appropriate for a contaminated wound, especially if the wound is jagged, as it could trap contaminants inside.
C. Wash the wound with soap and warm water. While soap and water are good for general wound cleaning, sterile normal saline is preferred for contaminated wounds in a clinical setting to minimize irritation and infection.
D. Apply microporous tape to the wound. Microporous tape is used for securing dressings, not for cleaning wounds.