The nurse is obtaining a systolic blood pressure by palpation. While inflating the cuff, the radial pulse is no longer palpable at 90 mm Hg. Which action should the nurse take?
Document the absence of the radial pulse.
Release the manometer valve immediately.
Inflate blood pressure cuff to 120 mm Hg.
Record a palpable systolic pressure of 90 mm Hg.
The Correct Answer is C
A. Document the absence of the radial pulse:
While it's important to document findings accurately, it's also crucial to ensure that blood pressure measurements are obtained correctly. If the radial pulse becomes unpalpable before reaching the expected systolic pressure, further action is needed to obtain an accurate measurement.
B. Release the manometer valve immediately:
Releasing the manometer valve immediately would lead to deflating the cuff and potentially missing the opportunity to obtain an accurate blood pressure measurement. This action is not appropriate at this stage.
C. Inflate blood pressure cuff to 120 mm Hg:
When the radial pulse becomes unpalpable during cuff inflation, it indicates that the cuff pressure is above the systolic pressure. To accurately determine the systolic pressure, the cuff should be inflated to a higher pressure (usually 20-30 mm Hg above the point where the radial pulse disappears) and then slowly deflated while palpating for the return of the radial pulse.
D. Record a palpable systolic pressure of 90 mm Hg:
If the radial pulse is no longer palpable at 90 mm Hg, this suggests that the true systolic pressure is higher than 90 mm Hg. Recording a palpable systolic pressure of 90 mm Hg without further action would likely underestimate the true systolic pressure.
Nursing Test Bank
Naxlex Comprehensive Predictor Exams
Related Questions
Correct Answer is C
Explanation
A. Obtaining clarification from a client's healthcare power-of-attorney:
While clear communication is important in this scenario, SBAR may not be necessary as the nurse is seeking information rather than providing a detailed report or recommendation.
B. Completing discharge teaching to a client and family members:
SBAR may not be the most suitable format for discharge teaching, as it is primarily used for communication between healthcare providers regarding a patient's condition and care plan. Discharge teaching typically involves providing comprehensive instructions and information in a manner tailored to the needs of the client and family members.
C. Reporting a change in a client's condition to the healthcare provider:
This is the most appropriate scenario for using the SBAR format. When communicating a change in a client's condition to the healthcare provider, the SBAR framework allows the nurse to provide a concise summary of the situation, relevant background information, assessment findings, and recommendations for further action.
D. Offering therapeutic support and comfort to a grieving family:
SBAR communication is not suitable for offering therapeutic support and comfort to a grieving family. This interaction requires empathy, active listening, and emotional support rather than a structured communication format like SBAR.
Correct Answer is A
Explanation
A. A well approximated incision site:
A properly healing surgical incision typically appears well approximated, meaning the wound edges are closely aligned and held together with sutures or staples. This indicates that the wound is healing as expected and that the risk of infection and complications is minimized.
B. Erythema and serosanguineous exudate:
Erythema (redness) and serosanguineous exudate (pinkish fluid composed of serum and blood) can be normal findings in the early stages of wound healing, but they may also indicate inflammation or infection if they persist or worsen over time.
C. Eschar and slough in the wound:
Eschar (dead tissue) and slough (yellow or white necrotic tissue) are signs of tissue necrosis or delayed wound healing. They indicate that the wound is not healing properly and may require intervention such as debridement to remove dead tissue and promote healing.
D. Beefy red granulation tissue:
Beefy red granulation tissue is a sign of the proliferative phase of wound healing and indicates that the wound is healing from the bottom up. While granulation tissue is a positive sign of healing, it typically appears later in the healing process rather than one week post-surgery.
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