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?
Release the manometer valve immediately.
Document the absence of the radial pulse.
Inflate the blood pressure cuff to 120 mm Hg.
Record a palpable systolic pressure of 90 mm Hg.
The Correct Answer is C
Choice A rationale
Releasing the manometer valve immediately is not appropriate as it does not allow for an accurate measurement of systolic blood pressure.
Choice B rationale
Documenting the absence of the radial pulse is not the correct action. The nurse needs to continue the procedure to obtain an accurate systolic blood pressure reading.
Choice C rationale
Inflating the blood pressure cuff to 120 mm Hg is the correct action. The nurse should inflate the cuff 30 mm Hg above the point where the radial pulse is no longer palpable to ensure an accurate measurement.
Choice D rationale
Recording a palpable systolic pressure of 90 mm Hg is incorrect. The nurse needs to inflate the cuff further to obtain an accurate systolic blood pressure reading.
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Correct Answer is D
Explanation
Choice A rationale
Providing client-focused information is essential, but it does not confirm that the client has understood the critical information. It is a part of the teaching process but not a confirmation strategy.
Choice B rationale
Reinforcing key points with the client helps emphasize important information but does not ensure that the client has learned and understood it. It is a supportive strategy rather than a confirmation method.
Choice C rationale
Observing the client’s body language can provide clues about their understanding and comfort level but is not a definitive way to confirm learning. It should be used in conjunction with other strategies.
Choice D rationale
Asking the client for learning feedback is the most effective strategy for confirming that the client has understood the critical information. It encourages active participation and allows for real-time clarification.
Correct Answer is B
Explanation
Choice A rationale
Identifying effective pain relief measures is important, but it does not directly assess the quality of the pain. This approach focuses on management rather than understanding the pain’s characteristics.
Choice B rationale
Asking the client to describe the pain is the most direct way to assess its quality. This allows the nurse to gather detailed information about the pain’s nature, intensity, and characteristics, which is crucial for accurate diagnosis and treatment.
Choice C rationale
Providing a numeric pain scale helps quantify the pain’s intensity but does not provide qualitative details about the pain’s nature. It is useful for monitoring pain levels over time but not for initial assessment.
Choice D rationale
Observing body language and movement can give clues about pain but is subjective and less reliable than directly asking the client. It should be used as a supplementary method rather than the primary approach.