Measurement: Units, Accuracy, Precision, and Significant Figures

Question 1

In healthcare, which of these is NOT a key concept of measurement?

Accepted Answer

Estimation

Answer

Accuracy

Answer

Precision

Answer

Reliability

Question 2

The SI base unit of length is the:

Accepted Answer

Meter

Answer

Kilogram

Answer

Second

Answer

Ampere

Question 3

In the measurement 12.050 cm, which digit is NOT a significant figure?

Accepted Answer

0

Answer

1

Answer

2

Answer

5

Question 4

A measurement that consistently overestimates the true value has:

Accepted Answer

Low accuracy

Answer

High accuracy

Answer

Perfect accuracy

Answer

Variable accuracy

Question 5

A dimensionless quantity is one that:

Accepted Answer

Has no units

Answer

Has units of force

Answer

Has units of distance

Answer

Has units of volume

Question 6

The SI unit of temperature is the:

Accepted Answer

Kelvin

Answer

Celsius

Answer

Fahrenheit

Answer

Rankine

Question 7

Which of the following is NOT a fundamental unit in the International System of Units (SI)?

Accepted Answer

liter

Answer

meter

Answer

kilogram

Answer

second

Question 8

A patient weighs 75.6 kilograms. Round this measurement to two significant figures.

Accepted Answer

75 kg

Answer

76 kg

Answer

75.60 kg

Answer

75.5 kg

Question 9

Which of the following scales is used to measure body temperature in clinical settings?

Accepted Answer

Celsius scale

Answer

Kelvin scale

Answer

Fahrenheit scale

Answer

Rankine scale

Question 10

A patient's blood pressure is measured as 120/80 mmHg. What does the first number (120) represent?

Accepted Answer

Systolic pressure

Answer

Diastolic pressure

Answer

Mean arterial pressure

Answer

Pulse pressure

Question 11

Which of the following is NOT a factor that can affect the accuracy of a measurement?

Accepted Answer

Personal preferences

Answer

Instrument calibration

Answer

Operator technique

Answer

Environmental conditions

Question 12

Which of the following is a valid method for improving the precision of a measurement?

Accepted Answer

Taking multiple measurements and averaging the results

Answer

Using a more sensitive instrument

Answer

Estimating the measurement

Answer

Ignoring outliers

Question 13

A laboratory test result is reported as 0.00000012. What is the measurement written in scientific notation?

Accepted Answer

1.2 x 10^-6

Answer

12 x 10^6

Answer

12 x 10^-7

Answer

1.2 x 10^7

Question 14

Which of the following is the SI base unit of length?

Accepted Answer

Meter

Answer

Kilogram

Answer

Second

Answer

Ampere

Question 15

Which of the following is NOT a factor that can affect the accuracy of a measurement?

Accepted Answer

Number of decimal places reported

Answer

Calibration of equipment

Answer

Environmental conditions

Answer

Observer bias

Question 16

To achieve the most precise measurement of 150 mL of medication, which syringe should a nurse use?

Accepted Answer

1 mL syringe

Answer

5 mL syringe

Answer

10 mL syringe

Answer

20 mL syringe

Question 17

When converting 2.5 miles to kilometers, which conversion factor is appropriate?

Accepted Answer

1 mile = 1.609 km

Answer

1 km = 0.621 mile

Answer

1 mile = 2.54 km

Answer

1 km = 0.394 mile

Question 18

Which measurement device is used specifically to determine the volume of liquids?

Accepted Answer

Graduated cylinder

Answer

Ruler

Answer

Micrometer

Answer

Calipers

Question 19

Which of the following factors does NOT affect the accuracy of a measurement?

Accepted Answer

Measurement precision

Answer

Calibration of equipment

Answer

Environmental conditions

Answer

Human error

Question 20

Which method is valid for ensuring accuracy when measuring a patient's weight?

Accepted Answer

Using a regularly calibrated scale

Answer

Weighing the patient with clothes and shoes on

Answer

Estimating the patient's weight based on their height

Answer

Using a scale that is not placed on a level surface

Question 21

A nurse needs to measure a volume of 5 mL using a syringe with milliliter (mL) markings. Which method will provide the most precise measurement?

Accepted Answer

Using the smallest graduation on the syringe

Answer

Estimating the volume visually

Answer

Using the largest graduation on the syringe

Answer

Rounding the volume to the nearest whole number

Question 22

How does the number of measurements impact the overall measurement error?

Accepted Answer

Error decreases as the number of measurements increases.

Answer

Error increases as the number of measurements increases.

Answer

Error remains unchanged regardless of the number of measurements.

Answer

Error is directly proportional to the number of measurements.

Question 23

Which of the following is the SI base unit of mass?

Accepted Answer

kilogram

Answer

gram

Answer

pound

Answer

ounce

Question 24

Which of the following is NOT a common tool used for measuring volume in healthcare settings?

Accepted Answer

Balance scale

Answer

Graduated cylinder

Answer

Pipette

Answer

Volumetric flask

Question 25

What is the key difference between precision and accuracy?

Accepted Answer

Precision refers to closeness of measurements to each other, while accuracy refers to closeness of measurements to the true value.

Answer

Precision and accuracy are the same thing.

Answer

Accuracy refers to closeness of measurements to each other, while precision refers to closeness of measurements to the true value.

Answer

Precision and accuracy are not related concepts.

Question 26

Why is instrument calibration important?

Accepted Answer

To ensure the instrument measures within acceptable limits

Answer

To adjust the instrument to measure a specific value

Answer

To determine the accuracy of the instrument

Answer

To repair any damage to the instrument

Question 27

Which of the following is a best practice when recording measurements?

Accepted Answer

Write the measurement in full, including the unit

Answer

Round the measurement to the nearest whole number

Answer

Estimate the measurement and write it as a range

Answer

Use abbreviations for the unit

Question 28

Which of the following is a disadvantage of using SI units in healthcare?

Accepted Answer

Increased cost of healthcare equipment

Answer

Enhanced communication among healthcare professionals

Answer

Reduced likelihood of medication errors

Answer

Improved patient safety

Question 29

Which of the following is the fundamental unit of length in the International System of Units (SI)?

Accepted Answer

Meter

Answer

Foot

Answer

Centimeter

Answer

Inch

Question 30

Which of the following metric prefixes represents a factor of 1000?

Accepted Answer

Kilo

Answer

Giga

Answer

Mega

Question 31

A nurse administers 15 mL of medication to a patient. What is the equivalent volume in liters?

Accepted Answer

0.015 L

Answer

1500 mL

Answer

0.15 L

Answer

1.5 L

Question 32

Which of the following instruments is primarily used to measure blood pressure?

Accepted Answer

Sphygmomanometer

Answer

Otoscope

Answer

Stethoscope

Answer

Thermometer

Question 33

What is the correct way to express the measurement 0.0005 meters (m) in scientific notation?

Accepted Answer

5 x 10^-4 m

Answer

0.5 x 10^-3 m

Answer

500 x 10^-6 m

Answer

0.00005 x 10^-1 m

Question 34

In the International System of Units (SI), what is the fundamental unit of length?

Accepted Answer

Meter

Answer

Inch

Answer

Foot

Answer

Mile

Question 35

Which of the following correctly defines accuracy and precision in measurement?

Accepted Answer

Accuracy refers to how close a measurement is to the true value, while precision refers to how close repeated measurements are to each other.

Answer

Accuracy and precision are interchangeable terms.

Question 36

You use a graduated cylinder with a scale marked in milliliters (mL) to measure the volume of a liquid. The liquid level falls between the 5 mL and 6 mL marks. What is the most precise measurement you can report?

Accepted Answer

5.5 mL

Answer

6 mL

Answer

5.25 mL

Answer

5 mL

Question 37

Which digit in the measurement 0.0025 m is NOT a significant figure?

Accepted Answer

0

Answer

5

Answer

2

Question 38

Which measuring instrument is most suitable for accurately measuring the volume of a small liquid sample?

Accepted Answer

Micropipette

Answer

Beaker

Answer

Burette

Answer

Graduated cylinder

Question 39

A patient's blood pressure is 120/80 mmHg. What is their pulse pressure?

Accepted Answer

40 mmHg

Answer

200 mmHg

Answer

80 mmHg

Answer

120 mmHg

Question 40

Which of the following is a common source of error in measurement?

Accepted Answer

Human error (e.g., parallax error, misreading scales)

Answer

Environmental factors (e.g., temperature, humidity) have no impact on measurement accuracy.

Answer

Only faulty equipment can cause errors in measurement.