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 nurse should include this information in the teaching because suctioning is often needed to keep the tracheostomy tube and opening free from extra mucus and secretions that come from the lungs and tissue around the stoma. Suctioning can help prevent the tube from becoming plugged and improve breathing.
Choice A is wrong because the nondisposable tracheostomy tube does not need to be changed daily. It can be changed every 1 to 3 months, depending on the type of tube.
Choice C is wrong because the tracheostomy dressing should be changed using sterile technique, not clean technique, to prevent infection.
Choice D is wrong because the tracheostomy tube should not be secured with ties at the back of the neck. The ties should be fastened at the front or side of the neck, and they should be snug but not too tight.
Correct Answer is A
Explanation
A non-tender, protruding abdomen is a normal finding for a 2- year-old toddler. This is due to the immature development of the abdominal muscles and the relatively large size of the liver and kidneys in relation to the rest of the body.
Choice B is wrong because the head circumference should be equal to or less than the chest circumference by age 2. A head circumference that exceeds the chest circumference could indicate hydrocephalus or other neurological problems.
Choice C is wrong because the fontanels, or soft spots on the skull, should be closed by the age of 18 months. Palpable fontanels could indicate dehydration, malnutrition, or congenital disorders.
Choice D is wrong because the natural loss of deciduous teeth, or baby teeth, usually begins around age 6. Premature loss of teeth could indicate dental caries, trauma, or endocrine disorders.
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