A 75-year-old man with a history of hypertension was recently changed to a new antihypertensive drug. He reports feeling dizzy at times. How should the nurse evaluate his blood pressure?
a. Blood pressure and pulse should be recorded in the supine, sitting, and standing positions.
b. The patient should be directed to walk around the room and his blood pressure assessed after this activity.
c. Blood pressure and pulse are assessed at the beginning and at the end of the examination.
d. Blood pressure is taken on the right arm and then 5 minutes later on the left arm.
ANS: A
Orthostatic vital signs should be taken when the person is hypertensive or is taking antihypertensive medications, when the person reports fainting or syncope, or when volume depletion is suspected. The blood pressure and pulse readings are recorded in the supine, sitting, and standing positions.
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