Nokea
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 point at which the palpated pulse disappears.
- 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 patient's pulse rate.
- D. After confirming the patient's previous blood pressure readings, the cuff should be inflated 30 mm Hg above the highest systolic reading recorded.
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: When measuring blood pressure, it's important to account for the possibility of an auscultatory gap, which occurs in about 5% of individuals, particularly those with hypertension due to a noncompliant arterial system. To detect an auscultatory gap, the cuff should be inflated 20 to 30 mm Hg beyond the point at which the palpated pulse disappears. This ensures an accurate measurement of blood pressure by overcoming the potential gap in sounds. Choice A is correct as it follows this guideline. Choices B and C are incorrect because inflating the cuff to 200 mm Hg or above the patient's pulse rate does not address the specific issue of an auscultatory gap. Choice D is incorrect as it focuses on the patient's previous readings rather than the current measurement technique needed to detect an auscultatory gap.
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While measuring a patient's blood pressure, which factor influences a patient's blood pressure?
- A. Pulse rate
- B. Pulse pressure
- C. Vascular output
- D. Peripheral vascular resistance
Correct Answer: D
Rationale: When measuring a patient's blood pressure, it is important to consider various factors that influence blood pressure. Peripheral vascular resistance plays a crucial role in regulating blood pressure. The level of blood pressure is affected by factors such as cardiac output, peripheral vascular resistance, volume of circulating blood, viscosity, and elasticity of the vessel walls. Pulse rate (Choice A) refers to the number of heartbeats per minute and is not a primary factor influencing blood pressure. Pulse pressure (Choice B) is the difference between systolic and diastolic blood pressure and does not directly impact blood pressure regulation. Vascular output (Choice C) is not a recognized term in blood pressure regulation and is not a primary factor affecting blood pressure.
The nurse is teaching a student nurse about the different types of thermometers. When teaching the student about the advantages of the tympanic membrane thermometer (TMT), which statement would the nurse include?
- A. "Measuring temperature using the TMT is cost-effective."?
- B. "The rapid measurement of the TMT is beneficial for uncooperative younger children."?
- C. "TMT is not recommended for measuring core body temperature in newborn infants."?
- D. "TMT is not the preferred method for measuring body temperature in patients with otitis media."?
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: The correct answer is "The rapid measurement of the TMT is beneficial for uncooperative younger children." TMT is ideal for young children who may not cooperate for oral temperatures or fear rectal temperatures. However, using TMT for newborn infants is not recommended due to inconsistencies in results. Measuring temperature with TMT is not necessarily cost-effective. The most accurate method for measuring core temperature is through rectal temperatures. TMT may not be the preferred method for patients with otitis media due to potential inaccuracies caused by fluid behind the tympanic membrane.
When auscultating the blood pressure of a 25-year-old patient, the nurse notices that 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?
- A. 200/92
- B. 200/100
- C. 100/200/92
- D. 200/100/92
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: When auscultating blood pressure, it is crucial to note the points at which Korotkoff sounds change. In adults, the last audible sound indicates the diastolic pressure. In this case, the Korotkoff sounds muffle at 100 mm Hg and disappear at 92 mm Hg. Therefore, the blood pressure should be recorded as systolic/diastolic, which is 200/92. Choices B, C, and D are incorrect because they do not reflect the correct points where the Korotkoff sounds change during blood pressure measurement.
Patients who cannot move in their bed on their own should be turned at least ________________.
- A. once a day
- B. twice a day
- C. every 2 hours
- D. every 4 hours
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: Patients who are unable to move in bed are at high risk of developing pressure ulcers and skin breakdown due to prolonged pressure on specific body areas. Turning these patients at least every 2 hours is crucial to relieve pressure, improve circulation, and prevent skin damage. More frequent turning may be necessary for patients with specific needs, such as those who are incontinent of urine and require additional care. Turning patients less frequently, such as once a day, twice a day, or every 4 hours, increases the risk of developing pressure ulcers and other complications. Therefore, the correct answer is to turn patients who cannot move in their bed on their own every 2 hours.
Which of the following puts the layers of skin in the correct order from right to left?
- A. Dermis, epidermis, hypodermis
- B. Hypodermis, epidermis, dermis
- C. Epidermis, dermis, hypodermis
- D. None of the above
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: The correct order of the layers of skin from outermost to innermost is the epidermis, dermis, and then the hypodermis. The epidermis is the outermost layer of the skin, followed by the dermis, which is the middle layer containing connective tissue, hair follicles, and sweat glands. The hypodermis, also known as the subcutaneous tissue, lies beneath the dermis and consists of fat and connective tissue. Choice A is incorrect as it lists the layers in the reverse order. Choice B is incorrect as it reverses the order of the layers. Choice D is incorrect as there is a correct answer among the choices.