You have delegated vital signs to the assistive personnel. The assistant informs you that the patient has just finished a bowl of hot soup. The nurse's most appropriate advice would be to

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.

A. Inform the patient's health care provider immediately to obtain an order for antihypertensive medications. While notifying the provider may be necessary, the nurse must first confirm the accuracy of the blood pressure reading before taking further action.
B. Instruct the nursing assistant to take the patient's blood pressure again and inform the nurse of the results immediately. Nursing assistants can take blood pressure readings, but the nurse should personally verify a critically high reading using a manual method.
C. Take the patient's blood pressure manually with a sphygmomanometer and stethoscope. Electronic monitors can sometimes give false readings, especially in patients with irregular heartbeats or movement. Manually verifying ensures an accurate assessment before determining further action.
D. Perform a neurological assessment to determine if the patient is stressed, in pain, or having a stroke. A neurological assessment is important if the elevated BP is confirmed, but the first priority is verifying the reading manually.