While assessing a client’s blood pressure using an aneroid sphygmomanometer, the nurse inflates the cuff to an initial reading of 160 mm calibration. Upon release of the air valve, the nurse immediately hears loud Korotkoff sounds. Which action should the nurse implement next?
Release the air and reinflate the cuff to 30 mm Hg above the client’s previous systolic reading.
Continue the blood pressure assessment until the last Korotkoff sound is heard.
Reposition the stethoscope in the antecubital fossa over the palpable brachial pulse point.
Inflate the cuff quickly to a higher mm Hg reading than the previously auscultated systolic sound.
The Correct Answer is A
Choice A reason: This is the correct action to take when the nurse hears loud Korotkoff sounds immediately after releasing the air valve. This indicates that the cuff was not inflated high enough to occlude the arterial blood flow and the initial systolic reading was inaccurate. The nurse should release the air, wait for 15 to 30 seconds, and then reinflate the cuff to 30 mm Hg above the first systolic sound. This will ensure a more accurate measurement of the blood pressure.
Choice B reason: This is not the correct action to take when the nurse hears loud Korotkoff sounds immediately after releasing the air valve. Continuing the blood pressure assessment until the last Korotkoff sound is heard will result in a lower systolic reading and a higher diastolic reading than the actual blood pressure of the client. The nurse should release the air and reinflate the cuff to 30 mm Hg above the first systolic sound.
Choice C reason: This is not the correct action to take when the nurse hears loud Korotkoff sounds immediately after releasing the air valve. Repositioning the stethoscope in the antecubital fossa over the palpable brachial pulse point will not change the fact that the cuff was not inflated high enough to occlude the arterial blood flow. The nurse should release the air and reinflate the cuff to 30 mm Hg above the first systolic sound.
Choice D reason: This is not the correct action to take when the nurse hears loud Korotkoff sounds immediately after releasing the air valve. Inflating the cuff quickly to a higher mm Hg reading than the previously auscultated systolic sound will cause discomfort and pain to the client and may damage the blood vessels. The nurse should release the air and reinflate the cuff to 30 mm Hg above the first systolic sound.
Nursing Test Bank
Naxlex Comprehensive Predictor Exams
Related Questions
Correct Answer is C
Explanation
Choice A Reason: This is incorrect because contacting the healthcare provider about the frequency of pain medication is a dependent intervention that requires an order from the provider. The nurse should first use independent interventions such as reviewing available prescriptions or providing non-pharmacological measures.
Choice B Reason: This is incorrect because encouraging the client to allow more time for the medication to work can imply that the nurse does not believe or validate the client's report of pain. It also can delay effective pain relief and increase suffering.
Choice C Reason: This is correct because reviewing the medical record for additional pain medication prescriptions can help identify alternative or adjunctive options for pain management, such as breakthrough doses, rescue doses, or non-opioid analgesics.
Choice D Reason: This is incorrect because administering an additional dose of morphine sulfate 0.2 mg intravenously can cause overdose, respiratory depression, or addiction. The nurse should follow the prescribed dosage, route, and interval of administration and monitor for adverse effects.
Correct Answer is D
Explanation
Choice A: Massage the injection site to increase absorption is not a correct instruction because it may cause bruising and bleeding. Low-molecular-weight heparin is absorbed quickly without massaging.
Choice B: Rotate injections between the abdomen and gluteal areas is not a correct instruction because it may increase the risk of hematoma and infection. The abdomen is preferred over other sites for low-molecular-weight heparin injections.
Choice C: Expel the air in the prefilled syringe prior to injection is not a correct instruction because it may result in loss of medication and inaccurate dosing. The air bubble in the prefilled syringe should be left intact.
Choice D: Inject in abdominal area at least 2 inches from the umbilicus is a correct instruction because it ensures adequate subcutaneous tissue and avoids major blood vessels and organs.
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