When auscultating the blood pressure of a 25-year-old, the nurse hears the phase I Korotkoff sounds begin at 200 mm Hg. At 100 mm Hg the Korotkoff sounds muffle. At 92 mm Hg the Korotkoff sounds disappear. How should the nurse record this patient's blood pressure?
200/92
100/200/92
200/100
200/100/92
The Correct Answer is D
A. 200/92. This format does not include the muffling point (Phase IV), which is important in some clinical settings, such as in critically ill patients or those with vascular diseases.
B. 100/200/92. This order is incorrect because the systolic pressure should always be listed first, followed by the diastolic components.
C. 200/100. This format omits the point at which sounds completely disappear (Phase V), which is the true diastolic pressure in most cases. However, in some individuals, particularly those with conditions like aortic regurgitation, the muffling point may be recorded as an additional reading.
D. 200/100/92. The correct way to document blood pressure when Korotkoff sounds muffle before disappearing is to include all three values: the systolic pressure (Phase I), the point of muffling (Phase IV), and the diastolic pressure (Phase V). This ensures a complete and accurate blood pressure recording.
Nursing Test Bank
Naxlex Comprehensive Predictor Exams
Related Questions
Correct Answer is A
Explanation
A. The nurse should review the patient's vital signs as soon as they are done. Even though vital signs can be delegated, the nurse retains accountability for assessing the data, interpreting abnormalities, and determining if further action is needed.
B. The nurse assistant should not be responsible for obtaining vital signs. Nurse assistants can take vital signs if they are properly trained and it is within their scope of practice. However, the nurse remains responsible for interpreting and acting on the results.
C. The nurse is not responsible if the nurse assistant fails to obtain the vital signs. The nurse remains accountable for delegated tasks and must ensure they are completed correctly.
D. The nurse assistant should determine if the patient's vital signs are abnormal. Nurse assistants can report abnormal findings, but they are not responsible for interpreting results or making clinical decisions—this is the nurse’s responsibility.
Correct Answer is B
Explanation
A. Posterior-to-anterior comparison. While both the anterior and posterior lung fields should be assessed, auscultation should be performed in a systematic side-to-side manner rather than switching between front and back.
B. Side-to-side comparison. The correct method for auscultating breath sounds is to compare sounds bilaterally (right lung to left lung) at each level. This helps identify asymmetrical lung sounds, which could indicate conditions like pneumonia, pleural effusion, or atelectasis.
C. Top-to-bottom comparison. While lung auscultation progresses from the apices to the bases, it should always be done in a side-to-side manner to detect differences between the lungs.
D. Interspace-by-interspace comparison. Although breath sounds are assessed at different intercostal spaces, the key principle is to compare sounds bilaterally at each level, rather than focusing solely on individual interspaces.
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