Each chapter closes with Critical Thinking Questions (listed below) as a review of chapter material that focuses on the role of the medical assistant.

1. A 45-year-old patient comes to the clinic for a follow-up appointment regarding her elevated blood pressure. Prior to seeing the patient, you note on her chart that her last blood pressure reading was 152/90 and her weight was 295 pounds. Which of these measurements should you first take for this patient and why?

2. You take the pulse and blood pressure of a 68-year-old male with an electronic sphygmomanometer and note the following results: BP 169/98, P 104. Are these within normal limits for this patient? If not, what should you do?

3. Describe how you would perform vital signs and measurements on an uncooperative child or crying infant.

4. Describe how you might obtain height and weight measurements of a patient who is deaf.