Author Question: The nurse is caring for a patient who complains of feeling light-headed and woozy. The nurse checks ... (Read 109 times)

awywial · **on:** Jul 22, 2018

The nurse is caring for a patient who complains of feeling light-headed and woozy. The nurse checks the patient's pulse and finds that it is irregular. The patient's blood pressure is 100/72 . It was 113/80 an hour earlier.

What should the nurse do? a. Call the physician immediately.
b. Perform an apical/radial pulse assessment.
c. Apply more pressure to the radial artery to assess the pulse.
d. Use his thumb to detect the patient's pulse.

Question 2

The nurse establishes trust and talks with a school-aged patient before administering injections. This nurse is demonstrating which type of implementation skill?

a. Cognitive
b. Interpersonal
c. Psychomotor
d. Judgmental

chreslie · **Reply #1 on:** Jul 22, 2018

Answer to Question 1

B
If the pulse is irregular, do an apical/radial pulse assessment to detect a pulse deficit. If pulse count differs by more than 2, a pulse deficit exists, which sometimes indicates alterations in cardiac output. The nurse needs to gather as much information as possible before calling the physician. The radial pulse is more accurately assessed with moderate pressure. Too much pressure occludes the pulse and impairs blood flow. Fingertips are the most sensitive parts of the hand to palpate arterial pulsations. The thumb has a pulsation of its own that interferes with accuracy.

Answer to Question 2

B
Nursing practice includes cognitive, interpersonal, and psychomotor skills. Cognitive involves the application of critical thinking and use of good judgment in making sound clinical decisions. Interpersonal skills involve developing trusting relationships with patients, conveying caring and compassion, and communicating clearly. Psychomotor skill requires the integration of cognitive and motor abilities. The nurse in this example displayed the interpersonal skills of establishing trust and talking with the patient before intervening.