Which of the following factors can result in a false high reading?
A 55-year-old bookkeeper comes to your office for a routine visit. You note that on a previous visit for treatment of contact dermatitis, her blood pressure was elevated. She does not have prior elevated readings and her family history is negative for hypertension. You measure her blood pressure in your office today.
A) Blood pressure cuff is tightly fitted.
B) Patient is seated quietly for 10 minutes prior to measurement.
C) Blood pressure is measured on a bare arm.
D) Patient's arm is resting, supported by your arm at her mid-chest level as you stand to measure the blood pressure.
A) Blood pressure cuff is tightly fitted.
A blood pressure cuff that is too tightly fitted can result in a false high reading. The other answers are important to observe to obtain an accurate blood pressure reading. JNC-7 also mentions the importance of having the back supported when obtaining blood pressure in the sitting position.
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An emergency department nurse has just received a call from EMS that they are transporting a 17-year-old male who has just sustained a spinal cord injury. The nurse recognizes that the most common cause of this type of injury is what?
A) Sports-related injuries B) Acts of violence C) Injuries due to a fall D) Motor vehicle accidents
A nurse is placing a cervical collar on a patient with a neck injury. Which of the following statements describes a desired outcome of this procedure?
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A person diagnosed with serious mental illness has frequent relapses, usually precipitated by situational stressors such as running out of money or the absence of key staff at the mental health center. Which interventions would the nurse suggest to reduce the risk of stressors to cause relapse? Select all that apply.
a. Discourage potentially stressful activities such as groups or volunteer work. b. Develop written plans that will help the patient remember what to do in a crisis. c. Help the patient identify and anticipate events that are likely to be overwhelming. d. Encourage health-promoting activities such as exercise and getting adequate rest. e. Accompany the patient to a National Alliance on Mental Illness support group.
A patient is placed on a multidrug regimen including bismuth for peptic ulcer disease. The nurse should instruct the patient as follows:
1. "One week of therapy should heal ulcers and relieve symptoms." 2. "When the symptoms resolve, the ulcer will be healed." 3. "The tongue and stool may turn black on bismuth." 4. "Single-drug therapy is preferable."