A nurse in the ER is caring for a patient who had fallen at home. She reviews the blood pressure reading of 160/80 mm Hg. The client denies any history of hypertension. Which of the following actions should the nurse take first?
Ask the client if she is having pain
Request a prescription for an antianxiety medication
Request a prescription for an antihypertensive medication
Return in 30 min to recheck the client’s blood pressure
The Correct Answer is A
A. Ask the client if she is having pain.
This option recognizes the potential relationship between pain and elevated blood pressure. Assessing the client for pain is crucial, as pain can contribute to increased blood pressure.
B. Request a prescription for an antianxiety medication.
This option assumes that anxiety might be the cause of the elevated blood pressure. However, without further assessment, it may not be appropriate to jump to prescribing medication for anxiety.
C. Request a prescription for an antihypertensive medication.
Initiating antihypertensive medication without further assessment may not be the most appropriate first step, especially if the elevated blood pressure is related to pain or another temporary factor.
D. Return in 30 minutes to recheck the client’s blood pressure.
While monitoring blood pressure is important, waiting 30 minutes without further assessment or intervention might delay addressing the underlying issue, especially if it is related to pain or another acute problem.
Nursing Test Bank
Naxlex Comprehensive Predictor Exams
Related Questions
Correct Answer is A
Explanation
A. Assess the client.
This is the immediate priority. The nurse should assess the patient's current condition to determine the extent of the impact of the error on the patient's health, focusing on respiratory status, vital signs, and signs of fluid overload.
B. Notify the nurse manager.
Once the patient has been assessed and stabilized, the nurse should inform the nurse manager or supervisor about the error. This helps ensure appropriate reporting, investigation, and follow-up actions.
C. Complete an incident report.
After assessing and stabilizing the patient, the nurse should document the error in an incident report. Incident reports are important for organizational learning, identifying patterns, and implementing improvements to prevent future errors.
D. Call the client’s provider.
If the patient's condition is deteriorating or requires immediate attention, the nurse should contact the healthcare provider to discuss the situation, report the error, and collaborate on necessary interventions.
Correct Answer is C
Explanation
A. Edema:
Edema refers to the presence of swelling caused by an accumulation of fluid. While the nurse can observe and measure edema, the sensation of swelling itself is subjective and based on the client's perception.
B. Heart Rate:
Heart rate is an objective measure of the number of heartbeats per minute. It can be measured and observed by the healthcare provider, making it an objective data point.
C. Chills
Subjective data refers to information that is based on the client's personal experiences, perceptions, and feelings. Chills, which describe a feeling of coldness often associated with shivering, are a subjective symptom that the client experiences.
D. Pallor:
Pallor refers to an unusually pale or white skin color. While the nurse can observe and assess the color of the skin, the client's perception of pallor is subjective.
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