Patient Care Technician (PCT) AAH Practice Exam

Which vital sign would most likely indicate a fever?

1. Blood pressure

2. Respiratory rate

3. Heart rate

4. Temperature

The correct answer is: Temperature

The vital sign that most likely indicates a fever is temperature. Fever is defined as an increase in body temperature above the normal range, typically indicated by a measurement using a thermometer. Normal body temperature varies from person to person but is generally around 98.6°F (37°C). A temperature above this threshold can suggest the presence of an infection or other health issues, making temperature a critical vital sign for assessing a patient’s condition. While blood pressure, respiratory rate, and heart rate can all change in response to a fever, they do not directly measure body temperature and therefore cannot independently indicate the presence of a fever. Blood pressure can be affected by numerous factors, including hydration levels and heart function. Respiratory rate may increase due to illness or exertion but is not a specific indicator of fever. Heart rate can also rise with fever, due to increased metabolic demand, but it is not specific enough to diagnose a fever on its own.