The nurse is having difficulty hearing his patient's apical pulse with his stethoscope. Which action will help the nurse hear the heartbeat more clearly?

A. Perception occurs when the brain interprets pain signals and recognizes them as pain. This step happens after the nerve impulses have been transmitted to the brain.
B. Transduction is the first step in the pain process, where painful stimuli (such as cutting a finger) activate nociceptors, converting the stimulus into an electrical signal.
C. Modulation involves the body’s response to pain signals, where descending nerve pathways release substances like endorphins to inhibit pain transmission. This occurs later in the pain process.
D. Transmission is the process of pain signals traveling from the site of injury to the spinal cord and brain via afferent nerve fibers. This step occurs after transduction and allows pain signals to reach the central nervous system.

A. Document the findings in the patient's medical record. While documentation is important, further assessment is needed before determining if the blood pressure is abnormal for this patient.
B. Apply a cool washcloth to the patient's forehead. The patient’s temperature is normal (98.9°F), so there is no need for cooling measures.
C. Administer oxygen at 2 L/minute via nasal cannula. The pulse oximetry is 94%, which is adequate for most patients. Oxygen is not needed unless the patient shows signs of respiratory distress.
D. Ask the patient about his usual blood pressure results. The blood pressure (144/94 mmHg) is elevated, but before determining if intervention is needed, the nurse should ask if this is typical for the patient or if it is an isolated finding.