Asked by Michelle Ruste on May 19, 2024
Verified
The nurse is taking an initial blood pressure reading on a 72-year-old patient with documented hypertension. How should the nurse proceed?
A) Cuff should be placed on the patient's arm and inflated 30 mm Hg above the patient's pulse rate.
B) Cuff should be inflated to 200 mm Hg in an attempt to obtain the most accurate systolic reading.
C) Cuff should be inflated 30 mm Hg above the point at which the palpated pulse disappears.
D) After confirming the patient's previous blood pressure readings, the cuff should be inflated 30 mm Hg above the highest systolic reading recorded.
Documented Hypertension
A medical condition diagnosed and recorded by healthcare professionals, characterized by consistently high blood pressure.
Palpated Pulse
The pulse felt by pressing a flat surface, like a finger, against the body, used to measure the heart rate or check circulatory function.
- Comprehension of the variables impacting measurements of blood pressure and the technique for accurate measurement.
- Acquire insight into the significance of the auscultatory gap during blood pressure measurement and its potential outcomes.
Verified Answer
TG
Tyler Grace GreenMay 22, 2024
Final Answer :
C
Explanation :
An auscultatory gap occurs in approximately 5% of the people, most often in those with hypertension caused by a noncompliant arterial system. To check for the presence of an auscultatory gap, the cuff should be inflated 20 to 30 mm Hg beyond the point at which the palpated pulse disappears.
Learning Objectives
- Comprehension of the variables impacting measurements of blood pressure and the technique for accurate measurement.
- Acquire insight into the significance of the auscultatory gap during blood pressure measurement and its potential outcomes.