A new nurse is taking a child's blood pressure. What action would ...

[rosent76]

A new nurse is taking a child's blood pressure. What action would cause an experienced nurse to intervene?
 
  A.
  Allows the child to get familiar with equipment
  B.
  Chooses a cuff that covers 65 of the child's arm
  C.
  Has a parent stay with the child to calm him or her
  D.
  Uses an automatic cuff if the heart rate is normal

Question 2

A school-age child is brought to the clinic by a parent who reports that the child becomes short of breath with activity. Which assessment finding would the nurse correlate with this condition?
 
  A.
  Bulging fontanels
  B.
  Elevated brain natriuretic peptide
  C.
  Peripheral edema
  D.
  Weight loss

[aloop]

Answer to Question 1

ANS: B
The appropriate-sized cuff is important for accuracy. The cuff should be long enough to cover 80-100 of the child's arm. A cuff that is too small will give a falsely high reading. The other actions are appropriate.

Answer to Question 2

ANS: B
Brain natriuretic peptide (BNP) is a measure of fluid overload, often seen in heart failure. An elevation in the laboratory value indicates that the child is retaining fluids. Bulging fontanels would not be seen in this age group. Children do not have peripheral edema, as is common in adults. Weight gain, not loss, would occur with fluid retention.