A nurse is obtaining a client’s manual blood pressure and is having difficulty auscultating sounds.
Which of the following actions should the nurse take?
Apply the largest cuff available.
Use the palpatory method to determine blood pressure.
Place the arm above the level of the client’s heart.
Deflate the cuff quickly.
The Correct Answer is B
This method involves feeling the radial pulse while inflating and deflating the cuff.
The systolic pressure is estimated by noting the pressure at which the pulse disappears and reappears. The diastolic pressure is not measured by this method, but it can be useful when the sounds are difficult to hear.
Choice A is wrong because applying the largest cuff available can result in a falsely low reading. The cuff size should be appropriate for the client’s arm circumference.
Choice C is wrong because placing the arm above the level of the client’s heart can also cause a falsely low reading. The arm should be at the level of the heart for an accurate measurement.
Choice D is wrong because deflating the cuff quickly can lead to missing or skipping sounds, resulting in an inaccurate reading. The cuff should be deflated slowly and evenly.
Normal ranges for blood pressure vary depending on age, sex, and health conditions, but generally, a systolic pressure below 120 mmHg and a diastolic pressure below 80 mmHg are considered normal for adults.
Nursing Test Bank
Naxlex Comprehensive Predictor Exams
Related Questions
Correct Answer is B
Explanation
The correct answer is b. “I can visit my nephew who has chickenpox 5 days after the sores have crusted.”
Choice A rationale:
- Statement:“I should take antibiotics when I have a virus.”
- Rationale:This statement is incorrect.Antibiotics are medications that fight bacteria,not viruses.Taking antibiotics when you have a virus will not help you get better and can actually lead to antibiotic resistance.
Choice B rationale:
- Statement:“I can visit my nephew who has chickenpox 5 days after the sores have crusted.”
- Rationale:This statement is correct.Chickenpox is a highly contagious virus that is spread through the air by coughing and sneezing.However,a person with chickenpox is no longer contagious once all of the sores have crusted over.This typically happens about 5 days after the rash first appears.
Choice C rationale:
- Statement:“I should wash my hands for 10 seconds with hot water after working in the garden.”
- Rationale:This statement is partially correct.Handwashing is an important way to prevent the spread of infection.However,the water does not need to be hot.Warm or cold water is just as effective.It is also important to wash your hands for at least 20 seconds,not 10 seconds.
Choice D rationale:
- Statement:“I can clean my cat’s litter box during my pregnancy.”
- Rationale:This statement is incorrect.Cat feces can contain a parasite called Toxoplasma gondii,which can cause a serious infection called toxoplasmosis.Toxoplasmosis can be harmful to a developing baby.It is best to avoid cleaning cat litter boxes during pregnancy.If you must clean the litter box,wear gloves and wash your hands thoroughly afterwards.
Correct Answer is B
Explanation
The correct answer is choice b. “I can start the medication 30 minutes earlier.”.
Choice A rationale:
Adjusting the time and schedule for convenience is not appropriate for medications like vancomycin, which require precise timing to maintain therapeutic levels and avoid resistance.
Choice B rationale:
Starting the medication 30 minutes earlier is a reasonable adjustment that maintains the medication’s effectiveness and safety.
Choice C rationale:
Administering the medication up to 2 hours after the usual schedule time is incorrect because it could lead to subtherapeutic levels and reduced effectiveness.
Choice D rationale:
Infusing the medication at a faster rate is unsafe as it increases the risk of adverse reactions, such as "red man syndrome".
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