Certified Nursing Assistant (CNA) Prometric Practice Exam

What is an essential consideration when gathering vitals for a patient?

1. Only do it when the patient is asleep

2. Ensure the patient is calm and resting

3. Document the vitals after performing other tasks

4. Wait until the doctor arrives to conduct vitals

The correct answer is: Ensure the patient is calm and resting

When gathering vital signs for a patient, ensuring that the patient is calm and resting is crucial. This is because a patient's emotional and physical state can affect their vital signs. For instance, if a patient is anxious or agitated, their heart rate, blood pressure, and respiratory rate may be elevated, leading to potentially misleading readings. Collecting vital signs under calm circumstances allows for a more accurate assessment of the patient’s health status. This is particularly important in a clinical setting, where clinicians rely on precise vital signs to make informed decisions regarding care. Taking vital signs when the patient is calm helps to establish a baseline measurement that can be consistently compared in future assessments, facilitating the monitoring of any changes in the patient's condition.