A patient is concerned about the arterial line waveform pattern because there is a break in the downward slope of the pattern and "something must be wrong" since it is not a smooth line

Question

Which of the following is the nurse's best response to this patient? 1. "What you are seeing is called a dicrotic notch, and it means the beginning of the resting phase of your heart.".
2. "You are right. I will see if you are prescribed any medication for that problem.".
3. "It is nothing for you to be concerned about. It is just a measurement of your blood pressure.".
4. "You are seeing the strongest part of your heart muscle, which is the first number of a blood pressure reading.".

Answer 1

"What you are seeing is called a dicrotic notch, and it means the beginning of the resting phase of your heart.".

Rationale: The dicrotic notch represents closure of the aortic valve and distinguishes the beginning of diastole or the resting phase of the heart ventricles. The nurse should explain the notch to the patient and that it means the beginning of the heart's resting phase. The nurse should not agree with the patient by saying that there is something wrong and that the patient might need medication. The nurse should not minimize the patient's concern. The dicrotic notch does not signify systole or the first number of a blood pressure reading.