ARRT Patient Care Practice Exam

Instruments required to assess vital signs include:

1. Stethoscope only

2. Stethoscope and sphygmomanometer only

3. Stethoscope and a watch with a second hand only

4. Stethoscope, sphygmomanometer, and a watch with a second hand

The correct answer is: Stethoscope only

The correct response is the combination of a stethoscope, sphygmomanometer, and a watch with a second hand. This collection of instruments is essential for accurately assessing vital signs, which include temperature, pulse, respiration, and blood pressure. A stethoscope is used for auscultation, allowing the healthcare provider to listen to heartbeats, breath sounds, and other bodily sounds. A sphygmomanometer is necessary for measuring blood pressure, which is a critical vital sign that reflects the force of blood against the walls of the arteries. Additionally, a watch with a second hand is important for accurately measuring the pulse and respirations. To obtain a thorough assessment of vital signs, one must accurately count the number of heartbeats (pulse) over a specific time period and observe the rate of breathing. The only inclusion of a stethoscope overlooks the full requirement for measuring blood pressure and accurately timing pulse and respiratory rates. Similarly, combining only the stethoscope and sphygmomanometer excludes the essential timing device needed for comprehensive vital sign assessment. Therefore, using all three instruments is critical for proper evaluation and monitoring of a patient's vital signs.