The nurse prepares to assess the client's radial pulse. Which statement made by the nurse reflects a correct understanding of the procedure? "I will:
count the radial pulse for two minutes."
put my fingers on the "pinky" finger side of the wrist."
use my thumb to count the pulse."
count the pulse for 30 seconds and multiply the number by two
The Correct Answer is D
D. Counting the radial pulse for 30 seconds and then multiplying the count by two gives an estimate of the client's heart rate per minute (bpm). This method is efficient and commonly used in clinical practice, especially if the client's pulse is regular.
A. Counting the radial pulse for two minutes is unnecessarily long and not standard practice. Typically, the radial pulse is counted for either 30 seconds or 60 seconds (one minute) to determine the client's heart rate. Multiplying the count by two for a 30-second count or directly using the count for a 60- second count provides the client's beats per minute (bpm).
B. The radial pulse is assessed by palpating the radial artery on the thumb side (or lateral side) of the client's wrist. The nurse places the index and middle fingers gently over the radial artery and applies light pressure to feel the pulse rhythm and rate.
C. Using the thumb to count the pulse is not recommended because the thumb has its own pulse, which could interfere with accurately assessing the client's radial pulse.
Nursing Test Bank
Naxlex Comprehensive Predictor Exams
Related Questions
Correct Answer is C
Explanation
C. Chvostek's sign is assessed by tapping or lightly percussing the facial nerve (facial muscles) at the angle of the jaw, just in front of the earlobe. A positive Chvostek's sign is indicated by facial twitching, especially around the mouth, nose, and eye, in response to this percussion. It indicates neuromuscular irritability due to low calcium levels.
A. Straining urine is typically done to collect urine for analysis or to detect urinary stones. It does not relate to the assessment of neuromuscular irritability, which is what Chvostek's sign evaluates.
B. This option does not pertain to assessing Chvostek's sign either. Inflating a blood pressure cuff above systolic measurement is a technique used to assess for Trousseau's sign, which is another clinical indicator of hypocalcemia but involves different physiological mechanisms than Chvostek's sign.
D. This option is unrelated to assessing Chvostek's sign or hypocalcemia. Baseline height and weight are typically obtained for nutritional assessment, growth monitoring, or as part of a general health assessment. They do not help in evaluating neuromuscular irritability associated with calcium levels.
Correct Answer is D
Explanation
D. When uncertain about the endpoint of Korotkoff sounds, releasing the cuff completely allows the blood flow to return to normal in the arm. After waiting for about two minutes, the nurse can reinflate the cuff and begin the measurement process again. This approach helps ensure accurate measurement by resetting conditions and allowing for a clearer determination of when Korotkoff sounds start and stop.
A. This option is not recommended because re-inflating the cuff immediately could lead to incorrect readings due to inaccurate pressure settings or discomfort for the client. It does not address the issue of determining the endpoint of the Korotkoff sounds.
B. This technique involves palpating the radial pulse while inflating the cuff and then inflating the cuff until the pulse is no longer palpable. This method can help ensure the cuff is inflated to an appropriate pressure level, which is typically about 30 mmHg above the point where the radial pulse disappears.
However, this option does not directly address the uncertainty about when to listen for the Korotkoff sounds to stop.
C. This option is not practical for addressing the immediate uncertainty during the current blood pressure measurement. Waiting 30 minutes to retake the blood pressure with a different cuff may delay necessary assessment and intervention.
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