The nurse is obtaining a systolic blood pressure by palpation. While inflating the cuff, the radial pulse is no longer palpable at 90 mm Hg. Which action should the nurse take?

Document the absence of the radial pulse.

Release the manometer valve immediately.

Inflate blood pressure cuff to 120 mm Hg.

Record a palpable systolic pressure of 90 mm Hg.

Answer and Explanation

The Correct Answer is C

A. Document the absence of the radial pulse:

While it's important to document findings accurately, it's also crucial to ensure that blood pressure measurements are obtained correctly. If the radial pulse becomes unpalpable before reaching the expected systolic pressure, further action is needed to obtain an accurate measurement.

B. Release the manometer valve immediately:

Releasing the manometer valve immediately would lead to deflating the cuff and potentially missing the opportunity to obtain an accurate blood pressure measurement. This action is not appropriate at this stage.

C. Inflate blood pressure cuff to 120 mm Hg:

When the radial pulse becomes unpalpable during cuff inflation, it indicates that the cuff pressure is above the systolic pressure. To accurately determine the systolic pressure, the cuff should be inflated to a higher pressure (usually 20-30 mm Hg above the point where the radial pulse disappears) and then slowly deflated while palpating for the return of the radial pulse.

D. Record a palpable systolic pressure of 90 mm Hg:

If the radial pulse is no longer palpable at 90 mm Hg, this suggests that the true systolic pressure is higher than 90 mm Hg. Recording a palpable systolic pressure of 90 mm Hg without further action would likely underestimate the true systolic pressure.

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Correct Answer is A

Explanation

A. Washes hands before handling the needle and syringe:

This action demonstrates an understanding of standard precautions. Hand hygiene, including washing hands before and after handling needles and syringes, is a fundamental component of standard precautions.

B. Wears gloves to dispose of the needle and syringe:

While wearing gloves is important for protecting oneself from potential exposure to bloodborne pathogens, it is part of personal protective equipment (PPE) precautions rather than standard precautions. Standard precautions primarily focus on hand hygiene and barrier precautions such as gloves, gowns, and masks when appropriate.

C. Dons a face mask before administering the medication:

Wearing a face mask is not typically necessary for routine administration of medications, unless there is a risk of splashes or sprays of blood or body fluids. While it's important to protect mucous membranes from exposure to potentially infectious materials, the routine use of a face mask for medication administration is not a component of standard precautions.

D. Removes needle before discarding used syringes:

This action is unsafe and does not demonstrate an understanding of standard precautions. Removing the needle before discarding the syringe increases the risk of needlestick injuries. Proper needle disposal involves keeping the needle intact with the syringe and disposing of them together in a puncture-resistant container.

A. Administer PRN oral pain medication. B. Review the pain medications prescribed. C. Ask the client what is causing the grimacing. D. Monitor the client's nonverbal behavior.

Correct Answer is C

Explanation

A. Administer PRN oral pain medication:

Administering pain medication without further assessment may not be appropriate, as the client's pain needs must be fully evaluated before intervening with medication. Additionally, pain medication should be administered based on an accurate assessment rather than solely on nonverbal cues.

B. Review the pain medications prescribed:

While it's important to review the client's pain medications, particularly if the client is exhibiting signs of uncontrolled pain, this intervention should be secondary to further assessment of the client's current pain status.

C. Ask the client what is causing the grimacing:

Asking the client directly about the cause of their grimacing can help clarify their discomfort and provide insight into whether their pain response is being underreported. This approach helps bridge the gap between nonverbal cues and verbal reports.

D. Monitor the client's nonverbal behavior:

While monitoring nonverbal behavior is important, it does not directly address the discrepancy between the client’s grimacing and their verbal denial of pain. This action should be complemented by further assessment to understand the cause of the nonverbal signs.

E. Establish a regular time for going to bed and getting up: This intervention is not relevant to the current situation, as the client is experiencing discomfort while moving.

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The nurse is obtaining a systolic blood pressure by palpation. While inflating the cuff, the radial pulse is no longer palpable at 90 mm Hg. Which action should the nurse take?

Nursing Test Bank

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