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 D
Explanation
A. Withdraw the medication into a syringe and label it with the client's name:
This is not necessary for the remainder of the medication. The medication should not be withdrawn into a syringe for future use or left labeled, as it could lead to errors or contamination.
B. Throw the vial into the trash in the presence of another nurse:
Discarding the vial into the trash is not appropriate, as it does not ensure proper documentation, accountability, or safe storage of the remaining medication. Additionally, the presence of another nurse does not address these concerns.
C. Place the vial with the remainder of the medication into a locked drawer:
While storing the vial in a locked drawer may prevent unauthorized access, it does not address the need for proper documentation and labeling of the remaining medication. Additionally, the vial should not be stored with the medication still in it after withdrawal.
D. Ask another nurse to witness the medication being discarded:
This is the appropriate action. Many facilities require that the disposal of unused or remaining medications, especially controlled substances, be witnessed by another nurse to ensure accountability and compliance with regulations.
Correct Answer is D
Explanation
A. Clamping the urinary catheter prior to the collection:
This step involves temporarily stopping the flow of urine through the catheter. Whether gloves are needed for this step depends on the specific protocol and the potential risk of exposure to bodily fluids. If there's a possibility of urine leakage or splashing during the clamping process, gloves may be necessary to protect against contact with the urine.
B. Recording the output on the flowsheet in the client's room:
This step involves documenting the urine output on a flowsheet or chart. It typically does not require direct contact with bodily fluids, as the nurse is handling paperwork rather than the urine itself. Therefore, gloves are usually not necessary for this task.
C. Transporting the urine specimen to the laboratory:
Once the urine specimen has been collected and properly sealed in a biohazard bag, the nurse transports it to the laboratory for analysis. As long as the specimen is securely packaged, there is no need for gloves during transportation unless there is a risk of spillage or leakage. However, if there is a possibility of contact with bodily fluids due to leakage, gloves should be worn to protect against exposure.
D. Using the syringe to remove the specimen from the catheter:
This step involves using a sterile syringe to withdraw the urine from the catheter for collection. Since it involves direct contact with bodily fluids (i.e., urine), gloves are necessary to protect against potential exposure to pathogens. Wearing gloves during this step helps maintain proper infection control practices and minimizes the risk of contamination.
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