Patient Care Technician Certification (PCTC) AMCA Practice Exam

What is included in a patient's vital signs?

1. Height and weight

2. Pulse and temperature

3. Blood type and allergies

4. Medical history

The correct answer is: Pulse and temperature

Vital signs are essential indicators of a patient's physiological status and are commonly used in clinical settings to assess and monitor a patient's health. The correct inclusion of pulse and temperature highlights two critical components of vital signs. The pulse provides information about the heart's rate and rhythm, indicating cardiovascular health, while temperature helps assess the body's thermal state and can indicate infection or other medical conditions. Height and weight, although important for assessing overall health and nutritional status, do not fall under the category of vital signs. Blood type and allergies are essential for patient safety and treatment considerations, yet they do not measure the body's current physiological state. Medical history, while crucial for understanding a patient's background and context for care, also does not represent vital signs. Thus, pulse and temperature correctly represent measures that reflect immediate bodily function and are vital for ongoing patient assessment.