Normal Vital Signs for the HHA Exam: Complete Reference
Expect 3–5 vital signs questions on your HHA exam. The ranges you must know: Blood pressure 90–120/60–80 mmHg · Pulse 60–100 bpm · Respirations 12–20/min · Oral temperature 97.8–99.1°F (36.5–37.3°C) · Oxygen saturation 95–100%.
- Blood pressure: normal is below 120/80 mmHg · hypertension starts at 130/80+
- Pulse: 60–100 bpm at rest · below 60 = bradycardia · above 100 = tachycardia
- Respirations: 12–20 breaths per minute in adults
- Temperature: 98.6°F (37°C) is the classic value — normal range is 97.8–99.1°F oral
- Oxygen saturation (SpO2): 95–100% is normal · below 90% requires immediate reporting
Why?
Vital signs are a core HHA competency because HHAs measure them daily and must recognize abnormal values. The exam tests whether you know both the normal ranges AND what to do when a value is outside range — which is almost always 'report to the supervisor immediately.' Knowing these numbers cold prevents you from second-guessing during the test.
Your Options
- 1Make a flashcard for each vital sign with the normal range on one side and 'what to do if abnormal' on the other — this covers both the factual and situational question formats
- 2Practice the mnemonic: BP less than 120/80, Pulse 60–100, Respirations 12–20, Temp 98.6, O2 sat 95–100
- 3Know how to take each vital sign correctly — the skills test may require you to demonstrate proper pulse measurement, blood pressure technique, or respirations
Test yourself on vital signs and all 6 other HHA exam topics with our free 10-question practice test. Full explanations included.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is a normal blood pressure for the HHA exam?
Normal blood pressure is less than 120/80 mmHg. On the exam, 90–120 systolic and 60–80 diastolic is the standard normal range. A reading of 130/80 or higher is considered hypertension Stage 1. Below 90/60 is hypotension. Any reading outside the normal range should be reported to the supervising nurse.
What is a normal pulse rate for the HHA exam?
Normal pulse (heart rate) in adults is 60–100 beats per minute. A rate below 60 is called bradycardia; above 100 is tachycardia. HHAs should also note pulse rhythm (regular vs. irregular) and strength (strong vs. weak or thready) when reporting.
What is a normal respiratory rate for adults?
Normal respiratory rate in adults is 12–20 breaths per minute. Below 12 is bradypnea; above 20 is tachypnea. When counting respirations, do not tell the patient — people unconsciously alter their breathing when they know it is being measured.
What are the different types of body temperature sites?
Oral (most common): 97.8–99.1°F. Axillary (underarm, least accurate): 96.8–98.1°F — about 1°F lower than oral. Rectal (most accurate): 98.6–100.1°F — about 1°F higher than oral. Tympanic (ear): similar to oral range. Know which sites read higher or lower relative to oral.
When should an HHA report a vital sign to the nurse?
Report immediately when: BP is above 140/90 or below 90/60, pulse is below 60 or above 100, respirations are below 12 or above 20, temperature is above 100.4°F (fever) or below 96.8°F, or oxygen saturation falls below 95%. When in doubt — report. It is always better to report a normal finding than to miss an abnormal one.