Fundamentals of Nursing: The Art and Science of Person-Centered Care Tenth, North American Edition - Complementary and Integrative Health Related

Review Fundamentals of Nursing: The Art and Science of Person-Centered Care Tenth, North American Edition - Complementary and Integrative Health related questions and content

When taking an adult blood pressure, the onset of the sound the nurse hears is at 138, the muffled sound the nurse hears is at 70, and the disappearance of the sound the nurse hears is at 62. How should the nurse record this?

  • A. 138/70
  • B. 138/62
  • C. 70/62
  • D. 138/70/62
Correct Answer: B

Rationale: BP is recorded as systolic (onset, 138) over diastolic (disappearance, 62), so 138/62 (B). Muffling (70) is phase IV, not standard for adults. 138/70 (A) uses muffling incorrectly. 70/62 (C) is invalid. 138/70/62 (D) isn't standard. Choice B is correct, per AHA guidelines.