ARRT Patient Care Practice Exam

During a routine examination, the patient’s vital signs are taken. Which of the following is NOT typically measured?

1. blood pressure

2. respiratory rate

3. white blood cell count

4. pulse rate

The correct answer is: white blood cell count

In a routine examination, vital signs are key indicators of a patient's current physiological status and commonly include blood pressure, respiratory rate, and pulse rate. These measurements provide essential information regarding cardiovascular and respiratory health. Blood pressure reflects the force of blood against the arterial walls, respiratory rate indicates how many breaths a patient takes in a minute, and pulse rate reveals how many times the heart beats in a minute, all of which are critical for assessing a patient's condition. However, white blood cell count is not measured as a vital sign. Instead, it is a laboratory test that evaluates the immune system's status by counting the number of white blood cells in the bloodstream. This test can indicate the presence of infections, inflammation, or other medical conditions but is not a routine vital sign assessment during physical examinations. Thus, it correctly distinguishes itself from the other options as it does not provide immediate, real-time data on a patient's vital lifesigns.