Older adult patients with hypertension may have an auscultatory gap in their Korotkoff sounds. It is important when taking their blood pressure measurement to:
pump up the cuff until no sound is heard and then let the air out.
stop midway and begin to inflate again.
make sure the bell of the stethoscope is placed firmly over the artery.
continue to listen until the cuff is deflated.
The Correct Answer is D
Rationale
A. Pumping the cuff until no sound is heard may cause inaccurate readings and is not a proper technique.
B. Stopping midway can result in missing sounds or causing an inaccurate measurement.
C. The bell of the stethoscope should be used for low-pitched sounds, but the key is to continue listening to identify the full Korotkoff sound range, especially in the presence of an auscultatory gap.
D. It is important to continue listening until the cuff is deflated to ensure the accurate measurement of both systolic and diastolic pressures, particularly in patients with an auscultatory gap.
Nursing Test Bank
Naxlex Comprehensive Predictor Exams
Related Questions
Correct Answer is B
Explanation
A. Dehydration causes a drop in circulating blood volume, which can lead to lower blood pressure, not muffled sounds.
B. When a person is dehydrated, there is less fluid in the bloodstream, which typically causes a decrease in blood pressure.
C. Blood pressure is likely to decrease in dehydration due to reduced circulating volume, rather than remain unchanged.
D. Dehydration will not increase blood pressure; it typically causes a compensatory decrease in blood pressure.
Correct Answer is C
Explanation
A. Pulse deficit refers to the difference between the apical and radial pulse, not a silence between sounds during blood pressure measurement.
B. Diastolic refers to the phase of the blood pressure cycle when the heart is at rest, not to a silent period.
C. An auscultatory gap is a period of silence between the systolic and diastolic sounds heard when taking blood pressure. It can be indicative of arterial stiffness or other vascular issues.
D. Widened pulse pressure refers to the difference between systolic and diastolic pressures, not a silence during auscultation.
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