The nurse assists and educates clients about blood pressure regulation. The nurse asks the client what the number 80 in the blood pressure 120/80 represents

Question

Which response by the client demonstrates the correct understanding of the basic concepts of blood pressure? A) Cardiac output
B) Pulse pressure
C) Systolic pressure
D) Diastolic pressure

Answer 1

D
Feedback:
Diastolic blood pressure, in this example is 80, is the force during ventricular relaxation. Cardiac output is the amount of blood the ventricles pump out in 1 minute, normally, 4 to 6 L/minute. Blood pressure is the force exerted by the blood against the walls of the blood vessels. Systolic blood pressure, in this example 120, is the force during ventricular contraction. The difference between systolic and diastolic pressure is called pulse pressure.