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. Body temperature follows a circadian rhythm, typically being lowest in the early morning (around 4–6 AM) and peaking in the late afternoon or evening.
B. Stress activates the sympathetic nervous system, which increases metabolic activity and raises body temperature rather than lowering it.
C. Physical activity generates heat, leading to an increase in body temperature, not a decrease.
D. While some surgical preparations involve cooling the patient, body temperature is not naturally lower before surgery. Instead, preoperative anxiety may even cause a slight increase in temperature.
Correct Answer is C
Explanation
A. Always take the patient's blood pressure manually using a sphygmomanometer. While manual BP measurements can be more accurate, they are not the priority intervention for orthostatic hypotension, which primarily involves position changes and fall prevention.
B. Monitor the patient's neurological status carefully for symptoms of a stroke. Orthostatic hypotension can cause dizziness or fainting, but it is not a direct cause of stroke. Neurological assessment is important if symptoms arise but is not the primary intervention.
C. Assist the patient to sit and stand slowly when getting out of bed. Orthostatic hypotension causes a sudden drop in blood pressure upon standing, increasing the risk of falls and syncope. The priority action is to help the patient transition slowly from lying to sitting and standing to allow the body to adjust.
D. Check the patient's blood pressure on a lower extremity using a thigh-sized cuff. Lower extremity BP measurements are not standard for managing orthostatic hypotension. Blood pressure should be checked in both lying, sitting, and standing positions to monitor for significant drops.
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