During transport to the operating room for mitral valve replacement, a patient with a signed consent form says that she does not want to go through with the surgery and asks to be returned to her room. What is the best response from the nurse?

Choice A reason: Pulse pressure is calculated as systolic (90) minus diastolic (72), equaling 18 mm Hg, not 40. This is incorrect, as it overestimates the pulse pressure, unlike the nurse’s accurate calculation based on the patient’s blood pressure readings.

Choice B reason: A pulse pressure of 25 mm Hg doesn’t match the calculation of 90 minus 72, which is 18 mm Hg. This is incorrect, as it’s inaccurate compared to the nurse’s correct determination of the patient’s pulse pressure from the given values.

Choice C reason: Pulse pressure is systolic (90 mm Hg) minus diastolic (72 mm Hg), equaling 18 mm Hg. This aligns with cardiovascular assessment, making it the correct value the nurse would calculate for the patient’s blood pressure of 90/72 mm Hg.

Choice D reason: A pulse pressure of 12 mm Hg is incorrect, as 90 minus 72 equals 18 mm Hg. This underestimates the value, making it incorrect compared to the nurse’s accurate calculation of the patient’s pulse pressure based on the blood pressure.

Choice A reason: Rolling down tight stockings creates a tourniquet effect, worsening venous insufficiency. Elevating feet improves circulation, making this incorrect, as it reflects a misunderstanding of compression therapy compared to the correct management taught by the nurse for venous insufficiency.

Choice B reason: Putting on stockings after swelling begins is less effective than wearing them preventatively. Elevating feet reduces edema, making this incorrect, as it shows partial understanding compared to the proactive elevation strategy indicating full comprehension of the nurse’s teaching.

Choice C reason: Elevating feet when sitting promotes venous return, reducing edema in venous insufficiency. This aligns with self-care education for the condition, making it the correct statement, as it demonstrates the client’s accurate understanding of the nurse’s teaching to manage lower extremity swelling.

Choice D reason: Crossing legs impairs venous return, exacerbating venous insufficiency, regardless of duration. Elevating feet is correct, making this incorrect, as it reflects a misconception about safe practices compared to the nurse’s teaching on managing venous insufficiency effectively.