A nurse on a medical-surgical unit is collecting data from a client who is postoperative following abdominal surgery.
The client’s BP was 126/72 mm Hg 15 min ago. The nurse now finds that the client’s BP is 176/96 mm Hg. Which of the following actions should the nurse take?
Deflate the cuff faster when repeating the BP measurement.
Request a prescription for an antihypertensive medication.
Use a narrower cuff to repeat the BP measurement.
Measure the client’s BP in the other arm.
The Correct Answer is D
It's common practice to check blood pressure in both arms when there is a significant discrepancy in blood pressure readings between the arms. This discrepancy could be due to factors like arterial blockages or other conditions. By measuring the blood pressure in the other arm, the nurse can confirm whether the high blood pressure is consistent on both sides or if there was an issue with the initial measurement. This step helps provide a more accurate assessment of the client's blood pressure.
- The other options are not appropriate at this stage:
Deflating the cuff faster may not resolve the issue and could lead to inaccurate measurements.
Requesting a prescription for an antihypertensive medication should only be done after confirming the blood pressure is consistently elevated and under the direction of a healthcare provider.
Using a narrower cuff is not indicated in this situation. It's more important to assess the other arm's blood pressure to identify any discrepancies.
Nursing Test Bank
Naxlex Comprehensive Predictor Exams
Related Questions
Correct Answer is ["C","D","E"]
Explanation
The correct answer is choice C, D, and E.
Choice A rationale:A client being unable to afford physical therapy is a financial issue, not an incident that affects patient safety or care quality. This situation should be addressed through social services or financial counseling, not an incident report.
Choice B rationale:A client being dissatisfied with meal temperature is a service quality issue, not a safety incident. This should be reported to the dietary department or patient services for resolution, not through an incident report.
Choice C rationale:A client’s visitor becoming dizzy and fainting in the client’s room is an incident that affects the safety of the visitor. An incident report should be completed to document the event, the visitor’s condition, and any actions taken to provide care or prevent future occurrences.
Choice D rationale:A client receiving burns from a heating pad is a safety incident that directly affects the client’s well-being. An incident report should be completed to document the injury, the circumstances leading to the burn, and any immediate care provided.
Choice E rationale:A client becoming disoriented and falling out of bed is a significant safety incident. An incident report should be completed to document the fall, the client’s condition, and any interventions implemented to prevent future falls.
Correct Answer is C
Explanation
The correct answer is choice C. Use a filter needle to aspirate the medication.
This is because a filter needle can prevent glass particles from being drawn into the syringe when aspirating medication from an ampule.
Glass particles can cause harm to the patient if injected.
Choice A is wrong because cleansing the tip of the ampule with an alcohol swab after opening is not necessary and may contaminate the medication.
Choice B is wrong because adding 0.5 mL of diluent to the medication may alter the concentration and dosage of the medication.
Choice D is wrong because injecting air into the ampule prior to drawing the medication into a syringe is not required and may create pressure that can cause the ampule to break.
Whether you are a student looking to ace your exams or a practicing nurse seeking to enhance your expertise , our nursing education contents will empower you with the confidence and competence to make a difference in the lives of patients and become a respected leader in the healthcare field.
Visit Naxlex, invest in your future and unlock endless possibilities with our unparalleled nursing education contents today