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RMA · 13% of the exam

Vital Signs, Measurements and Physical Examinations practice questions

10 free Vital Signs, Measurements and Physical Examinations questions for the Registered Medical Assistant (RMA) Exam exam, each with the correct answer and an explanation for every option.

Start the questionsFree 10-question RMA quiz

What this domain covers

Measuring and recording vital signs and body measurements, and preparing and positioning patients for physical examinations.

Exam weight
13%
On a real exam
≈ 27 questions
In our bank
78 questions

Topics that come up most

  • Temperature, pulse and respiration sites and normal ranges
  • Blood pressure technique and common errors
  • Height, weight, BMI and paediatric measurements
  • Examination positions and their uses
  • Vision and hearing screening

How to study it

Learn normal ranges by age group alongside the causes of false high or low readings; questions often ask which error explains a result.

Sample Vital Signs, Measurements and Physical Examinations questions

Try each one before opening the answer. Original questions written to the official exam objectives.

  1. Question 1

    A pulmonary function test (spirometry) measures:

    • ALung airflow
    • BHeart rhythm
    • CBlood sugar
    • DHearing
    Show answer and explanation

    Answer: A) Lung airflow

    • ACorrect. It measures volumes and how fast air moves.
    • BIncorrect. That is ECG.
    • CIncorrect. That is a glucose test.
    • DIncorrect. That is audiometry.

  2. Question 2

    Which position places the patient lying face down?

    • ALithotomy
    • BSupine
    • CFowler's
    • DProne
    Show answer and explanation

    Answer: D) Prone

    • AIncorrect. That's on the back with feet in stirrups.
    • BIncorrect. That's face up.
    • CIncorrect. That's sitting up.
    • DCorrect. Supine is face up.

  3. Question 3

    What is a normal pulse oximetry reading for a healthy adult?

    • A95% to 100%
    • B50% to 60%
    • C75% to 80%
    • D85% to 89%
    Show answer and explanation

    Answer: A) 95% to 100%

    • ACorrect. Lower values need attention.
    • BIncorrect. That's dangerously low.
    • CIncorrect. That's low.
    • DIncorrect. That's low.

  4. Question 4

    What is the main purpose of draping a patient for a routine physical examination?

    • ATo keep the patient's privacy by uncovering only the body area being examined
    • BTo create a sterile field over the area the provider will examine
    • CTo remove the need for a chaperone during sensitive examinations
    • DTo act as a barrier so the provider does not need to wear gloves
    Show answer and explanation

    Answer: A) To keep the patient's privacy by uncovering only the body area being examined

    Exam draping protects the patient's modesty and dignity by uncovering only the area being examined. It is not sterile, does not replace PPE, and does not replace a chaperone.

    • ACorrect. Exam draping keeps covered every body area not being examined. This protects modesty and dignity, and it also helps keep the patient warm.
    • BIncorrect. Drapes for a routine exam are clean, not sterile. Sterile draping is used for surgical and invasive procedures, not for routine physical exams.
    • CIncorrect. Draping does not replace a chaperone. Chaperone policies apply whether or not the patient is draped.
    • DIncorrect. A drape is not personal protective equipment. Gloves and standard precautions are still required when contact with blood, body fluids, or nonintact skin is expected.

  5. Question 5

    Where is the femoral pulse found?

    • ABehind the knee
    • BIn the groin
    • COn top of the foot
    • DOn the wrist
    Show answer and explanation

    Answer: B) In the groin

    • AIncorrect. That's popliteal.
    • BCorrect. It checks circulation to the legs.
    • CIncorrect. That's dorsalis pedis.
    • DIncorrect. That's radial.

  6. Question 6

    A patient is 66 inches tall. What is that in feet and inches?

    • A5 feet 0 inches
    • B6 feet 6 inches
    • C5 feet 6 inches
    • D6 feet 0 inches
    Show answer and explanation

    Answer: C) 5 feet 6 inches

    • AIncorrect. That's 60 inches.
    • BIncorrect. That's 78 inches.
    • CCorrect. 66 ÷ 12 = 5 with 6 left over.
    • DIncorrect. That's 72 inches.

  7. Question 7

    Where is the apical pulse heard?

    • AOn the inner wrist, just below the base of the thumb
    • BFifth intercostal space, left midclavicular line
    • CBehind the knee
    • DIn the groin
    Show answer and explanation

    Answer: B) Fifth intercostal space, left midclavicular line

    • AIncorrect. That's radial.
    • BCorrect. It's counted for a full minute.
    • CIncorrect. That's popliteal.
    • DIncorrect. That's femoral.

  8. Question 8

    The lithotomy position is used for:

    • ABreathing trouble
    • BBack exams
    • CPelvic exams
    • DRectal exams
    Show answer and explanation

    Answer: C) Pelvic exams

    • AIncorrect. That uses Fowler's.
    • BIncorrect. That uses prone.
    • CCorrect. The patient lies supine with feet in stirrups.
    • DIncorrect. That often uses Sims'.

  9. Question 9

    A patient is 1.8 m tall and weighs 81 kg. What is the BMI?

    • A25
    • B45
    • C18
    • D32
    Show answer and explanation

    Answer: A) 25

    • ACorrect. 81 ÷ (1.8 × 1.8) = 81 ÷ 3.24 = 25.
    • BIncorrect. Height must be squared.
    • CIncorrect. Recheck the calculation.
    • DIncorrect. Recheck the calculation.

  10. Question 10

    A medical assistant is preparing an adult patient for a resting 12-lead ECG. Which instruction best helps prevent false results on the tracing?

    • ARemain still, relaxed and warm during the recording
    • BWalk briskly for a few minutes just before the test
    • CDrink a glass of ice water just before electrode placement
    • DChat with the assistant during the tracing to stay calm
    Show answer and explanation

    Answer: A) Remain still, relaxed and warm during the recording

    Movement and shivering during an ECG distort the tracing, and exercise or cold water right before the test can cause false results. The patient should lie still, relaxed and warm.

    • ACorrect. Any movement, including shivering, can change the tracing. The patient should lie still, stay relaxed and be kept warm while the ECG is recorded.
    • BIncorrect. Exercising right before an ECG can cause false results. A resting ECG should be recorded with the patient at rest.
    • CIncorrect. MedlinePlus advises against drinking cold water right before an ECG because it may cause false results.
    • DIncorrect. Talking makes the patient move, which adds muscle artifact. The patient should stay quiet and still while the tracing is recorded.

Vital Signs, Measurements and Physical Examinations: FAQs

How much of the RMA exam is Vital Signs, Measurements and Physical Examinations?

Vital Signs, Measurements and Physical Examinations is 13% of the RMA exam by the official exam guide's weighting, which on a 210-question form works out to roughly 27 questions. The real exam's exact split varies by form.

What does the Vital Signs, Measurements and Physical Examinations domain cover?

Measuring and recording vital signs and body measurements, and preparing and positioning patients for physical examinations.

How should I study Vital Signs, Measurements and Physical Examinations for RMA?

Learn normal ranges by age group alongside the causes of false high or low readings; questions often ask which error explains a result.

Where can I practise more Vital Signs, Measurements and Physical Examinations questions?

This page has 10 free Vital Signs, Measurements and Physical Examinations questions with answers. The ExamWize RMA question bank has 78 questions in this domain. Every practice exam result breaks your score down by domain, and Review Mode re-drills the questions you missed.

Other RMA topics

Also: 15 free questions across all topics, the RMA cheat sheet and the study guide.

Get Vital Signs, Measurements and Physical Examinations exam-ready

The full RMA bank has 78 Vital Signs, Measurements and Physical Examinations questions. Timed practice exams match the real exam's length and domain weights, every result shows your score per domain, and Review Mode re-drills the questions you missed.

See the full RMA practice examsTake the free diagnostic

Not affiliated with AMT; questions are original, written from the official exam outline, and never copied from the real exam.