Author Question: The nurse is educating a client about blood pressure values. Which statement by the client indicates ... (Read 314 times)

skymedlock · **on:** Jun 25, 2018

The nurse is educating a client about blood pressure values. Which statement by the client indicates appropriate understanding of the teaching session?

1. A normal blood pressure always depends on my previous blood pressure values.
2. A normal blood pressure is below 140/90.
3. If I was diagnosed with prehypertension my blood pressure would be 138/89.
4. A diagnosis of prehypertension does not increase my risk of developing hypertension.

Question 2

The nurse educator is teaching a group of nursing students how to perform an assessment of the client's peripheral vascular system. Which student statements indicate an appropriate understanding of the peripheral vascular assessment? Select all that apply

1. I need to take a blood pressure only in the client's right arm.
2. The best way to assess the carotid pulses is palpate one side and then the other.
3. It will be easier to assess the client's carotid pulses if the client is obese.
4. I should inspect the arms to ensure that they are close to the same size.
5. I should look at the extremities to ensure that hair distribution is normal and symmetrical. The skin should be clean and free of any lesions.

ngr69 · **Reply #1 on:** Jun 25, 2018

Answer to Question 1

Correct Answer: 3
A client with prehypertension will have a blood pressure of 120-139 (systolic) and 80-89 (diastolic). There are some specific guidelines set forth by the National Institutes of Health that can be used to classify a client's blood pressure as normal, prehypertension, stage I hypertension, and stage II hypertension. A normal blood pressure is actually less than 120 (systolic) and less than 80 (diastolic). Client's diagnosed with prehypertension are at an increased risk for developing hypertension.

Answer to Question 2

Correct Answer: 2, 4, 5
The best way to palpate the client's carotid pulses is separately, not simultaneously. The student nurse should ensure that both arms are equal in size. The student nurse should thoroughly assess the client's extremities. The student nurse should take the client's blood pressure in both arms and both legs. It will be more difficult to assess the client's carotid pulses if the client is obese or has a short neck.