A client has arrived at the clinic for a routine physical examination. Prior to assessing the client's blood pressure, what should the nurse do?

Position the arm so that it is below waist level.

Palpate the radial artery to confirm a pulse is present.

Ask the client to sit quietly in a chair for 5 minutes.

Make sure the arm selected is covered with clothing.

Answer and Explanation

The Correct Answer is C

Choice A Reason:
Positioning the arm below waist level is not recommended when measuring blood pressure. It can result in an inaccurate reading, typically showing a higher blood pressure due to the effects of gravity on the blood column. The arm should be positioned at heart level for an accurate measurement.

Choice B Reason:
While palpating the radial artery to confirm a pulse is present is part of the overall assessment of circulation, it is not a necessary step immediately before measuring blood pressure. The focus should be on ensuring the client is in the correct position and is relaxed to avoid any factors that might artificially alter the blood pressure reading.

Choice C Reason:
Asking the client to sit quietly in a chair for 5 minutes is the correct procedure before measuring blood pressure. This allows the client's heart rate and blood pressure to stabilize, providing a more accurate measurement. Any activity or stress can temporarily raise blood pressure, so this quiet time is crucial.

Choice D Reason:
The arm selected for blood pressure measurement should not be covered with clothing. Clothing can constrict the blood pressure cuff and interfere with the accuracy of the reading. The cuff should be placed on bare skin to ensure it inflates and deflates correctly and that the stethoscope can accurately detect the sounds of the blood flow.

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Correct Answer is C

Explanation

Choice A Reason:
The dorsal aspect of the hand, rather than the finger pads, is more sensitive to temperature due to its thinner skin. Therefore, while the finger pads can detect temperature, they are not the best tool for this purpose.

Choice B Reason:
Vibrations, such as those produced by vocal fremitus, are typically assessed using the ulnar edge or the palmar aspect of the hand, not the finger pads. The finger pads are sensitive but do not provide the best surface for detecting vibrations.

Choice C Reason:
The finger pads are densely innervated and are the most sensitive part of the hand, making them ideal for palpating pulses. Pulses are subtle and require a fine touch to assess properly, which is why the finger pads are the preferred area for this assessment.

Choice D Reason:
Fremitus refers to the palpable vibrations transmitted through the bronchopulmonary tree to the chest wall as someone speaks. It is best felt with the ball of the hand or the ulnar edge, not the finger pads.

A. Objective Data B. Introspective Data C. Subjective Data D. Reflective Data

Correct Answer is C

Explanation

Choice a reason:
Objective data refers to information that is observable and measurable by the healthcare provider, such as vital signs, physical examination findings, and laboratory results. The patient's statements about his feelings are not objective data because they cannot be directly measured or observed by the nurse.

Choice b reason:
Introspective data is not a commonly used term in healthcare. Introspection generally refers to the examination of one's own conscious thoughts and feelings, which in the context of healthcare, can be part of subjective data as it is reported by the patient.

Choice c reason:
Subjective data consists of information that is reported by the patient, including feelings, perceptions, and concerns. It is called 'subjective' because it is based on the patient's personal experience and cannot be independently verified by the nurse. In this case, the patient's report of feeling anxious, nauseated, and hot is considered subjective data.

Choice d reason:
Reflective data is not a standard term in healthcare documentation. Reflection is a process of personal thought and does not pertain to the clinical data gathered during a patient assessment.

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