HESI Fundamentals Related

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The healthcare provider obtains a BP reading of 100/88 in the right arm of a client whose blood pressure is typically 120/60 in the same arm. What action should the healthcare provider implement first?

  • A. Use an electronic sphygmomanometer to take the BP every 30 minutes.
  • B. Retake the blood pressure in the same arm, deflating the cuff slowly.
  • C. Ask another healthcare provider to recheck the blood pressure to compare results.
  • D. Obtain another blood pressure cuff and retake the blood pressure.
Correct Answer: B

Rationale: The healthcare provider should first retake the blood pressure in the right arm, deflating the cuff slowly, because a low systolic and high diastolic blood pressure measurement is often the result of deflating the cuff too rapidly. Taking the BP in the same arm ensures consistency and accuracy of the measurement.