A patient’s blood pressure suddenly drops from 132/82 to 104/52. The nurse notes that the patient’s skin is pale and the patient appears ready to faint. What is the priority action of the nurse?
Report the findings to the health care provider immediately.
Check the patient’s apical rate to check for a pulse deficit.
Immediately check the patient for orthostatic hypotension.
Elevate the head of the patient’s bed to at least 45 degrees.
The Correct Answer is C
Choice A reason: This is incorrect. Reporting the findings to the health care provider immediately is an important step, but not the priority action of the nurse. The nurse should first assess the patient for orthostatic hypotension, which is a common cause of sudden blood pressure drop.
Choice B reason: This is incorrect. Checking the patient’s apical rate to check for a pulse deficit is a relevant step, but not the priority action of the nurse. A pulse deficit is the difference between the apical and radial pulse rates. The nurse should first check the patient for orthostatic hypotension, which is a condition where the blood pressure drops when the patient changes position, causing dizziness and fainting.
Choice C reason: This is correct. Immediately checking the patient for orthostatic hypotension is the priority action of the nurse. Orthostatic hypotension is a condition where the blood pressure drops when the patient changes position, causing dizziness and fainting. It can be caused by dehydration, medications, blood loss, or autonomic nervous system disorders. The nurse should measure the patient’s blood pressure and heart rate while lying down, sitting, and standing, and observe for any signs of hypoperfusion, such as pallor, sweating, or confusion.
Choice D reason: This is incorrect. Elevating the head of the patient’s bed to at least 45 degrees is a helpful step, but not the priority action of the nurse. Elevating the head of the bed can improve the patient’s breathing and reduce the risk of aspiration, but it can also worsen the orthostatic hypotension by lowering the blood pressure further. The nurse should first check the patient for orthostatic hypotension and then adjust the bed position accordingly.
Nursing Test Bank
Naxlex Comprehensive Predictor Exams
Related Questions
Correct Answer is D
Explanation
Choice A reason: This is an incorrect choice because release of prostaglandins lowers the patient’s heart rate and blood pressure is not a reason why acute pain is particularly dangerous for a patient having a heart attack. Prostaglandins are inflammatory mediators that are involved in pain perception and modulation, but they do not have a direct effect on the heart rate and blood pressure. In fact, some prostaglandins may have a protective role in the cardiovascular system by preventing platelet aggregation and vasodilation.
Choice B reason: This is an incorrect choice because release of substance P narrows the airways and leads to hypoxemia is not a reason why acute pain is particularly dangerous for a patient having a heart attack. Substance P is a neuropeptide that is involved in pain transmission and modulation, but it does not have a significant effect on the airways or the oxygen level. Substance P may cause bronchoconstriction in some patients with asthma or chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, but this is not a common or serious complication of acute pain.
Choice C reason: This is an incorrect choice because release of endorphins causes dangerous elevation of blood pressure is not a reason why acute pain is particularly dangerous for a patient having a heart attack. Endorphins are endogenous opioids that are involved in pain inhibition and modulation, but they do not have a major effect on the blood pressure. Endorphins may cause a slight increase in blood pressure by activating the opioid receptors in the brainstem, but this is not a significant or harmful response to acute pain.
Choice D reason: This is the correct choice because stimulation of the sympathetic nervous system will increase cardiac workload is a reason why acute pain is particularly dangerous for a patient having a heart attack. The sympathetic nervous system is part of the autonomic nervous system that is responsible for the fight-or-flight response, which is triggered by acute pain. The sympathetic nervous system will increase the heart rate, blood pressure, and cardiac contractility, which will increase the oxygen demand and consumption of the heart. This will worsen the ischemia and injury of the myocardium, and may lead to arrhythmias, heart failure, or cardiac arrest.
Correct Answer is D
Explanation
Choice A reason: This is an inappropriate statement for the nurse to include in the description of the incident because it is subjective, biased, and disrespectful. The nurse should not make judgments or assumptions about the patient's personality or behavior, but rather report the facts and observations of the situation.
Choice B reason: This is an inappropriate statement for the nurse to include in the description of the incident because it is irrelevant, speculative, and accusatory. The nurse should not blame or criticize the nurse assistant's performance, but rather focus on the patient's condition and the actions taken to prevent or manage the fall.
Choice C reason: This is an inappropriate statement for the nurse to include in the description of the incident because it is uncertain, hypothetical, and unprofessional. The nurse should not use words like "probably" or "maybe" that indicate a lack of clarity or certainty, but rather state the facts and evidence of the situation.
Choice D reason: This is an appropriate statement for the nurse to include in the description of the incident because it is objective, factual, and concise. The nurse should report the patient's location, status, and environment at the time of the fall, and the possible cause or contributing factors of the fall.
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