Which quadrant would you be able to assess the descending colon in?

Choice A reason: Pain rating is considered a subjective vital sign, assessed via patient self-reporting, often on a 0-10 scale. It reflects neurological and emotional status, guiding pain management. Including it as a vital sign is a valid clinical practice, making this choice a correct use.

Choice B reason: In less stable clients, vital signs should be checked more frequently than once daily, often every few hours, to monitor deteriorating conditions like sepsis or shock. This statement inaccurately suggests infrequent monitoring, which is not a standard use of vital signs, making it the correct answer.

Choice C reason: Vital signs assess circulatory (blood pressure, pulse), respiratory (respirations, pulse oximetry), neurological (via pulse and responsiveness), and endocrine (temperature) systems. They provide critical data on physiological function, making this a valid use of vital signs in comprehensive health assessments.

Choice D reason: Vital signs include temperature, pulse, respirations, blood pressure, and pulse oximetry, which measure thermoregulation, cardiovascular, and respiratory status. This is a standard definition in clinical practice, accurately reflecting the components of vital sign assessment, making it a correct use.

Choice A reason: The gastrointestinal tract does not provide oxygen to organs; this is the respiratory and circulatory systems’ role, delivering oxygen via lungs and blood. The GI tract focuses on digestion, absorption, and waste elimination, making this function unrelated to its physiological responsibilities.

Choice B reason: Elimination of waste is a core gastrointestinal function, achieved through defecation. The large intestine compacts waste into feces, expelling it via the rectum, a critical process for removing indigestible material and toxins, making this a valid GI tract function.

Choice C reason: Digestion of food is a primary gastrointestinal function, involving mechanical and chemical breakdown in the stomach and small intestine. Enzymes and acids process nutrients for absorption, a fundamental GI role, making this choice a correct description of its physiological tasks.

Choice D reason: Removing water-soluble waste is a gastrointestinal function, as the colon reabsorbs water, concentrating waste for elimination. This process ensures efficient waste management, distinguishing it from renal functions, making this a valid role of the GI tract in waste handling.