what is the proper technique for measuring a patients blood pressure

ATI LPN

ATI PN Comprehensive Predictor

1. What is the proper technique for measuring a patient's blood pressure?

A. Place the cuff at heart level and listen for Korotkoff sounds
B. Ensure the patient is in a seated position and inflate the cuff to 180 mmHg
C. Use a manual sphygmomanometer and measure blood pressure on both arms
D. Monitor pulse rate and apply pressure to the brachial artery

Correct answer: A

Rationale: The correct technique for measuring blood pressure involves placing the cuff at heart level to ensure accurate readings. Listening for Korotkoff sounds helps determine the systolic and diastolic pressures. Choice B is incorrect as inflating the cuff to 180 mmHg is excessive and can lead to inaccurate readings. Choice C is incorrect as it is unnecessary to measure blood pressure on both arms unless there is a specific medical reason to do so. Choice D is incorrect as monitoring pulse rate and applying pressure to the brachial artery are not part of the standard blood pressure measurement technique.

2. What is the first step in preparing a blood transfusion?

A. Administer the blood via IV push
B. Verify the client's blood type before starting the transfusion
C. Warm the blood to body temperature before administration
D. Administer diuretics to prevent fluid overload

Correct answer: B

Rationale: The correct first step in preparing a blood transfusion is to verify the client's blood type before starting the transfusion. This step is crucial to ensure compatibility and prevent adverse reactions. Administering the blood via IV push (Choice A) is incorrect as it skips the essential step of verifying the blood type. Warming the blood to body temperature (Choice C) is important but comes after verifying the blood type. Administering diuretics (Choice D) is not part of the preparation process for a blood transfusion.

3. When caring for a client with a wound infection, what should the nurse prioritize?

A. Change the dressing daily
B. Cleanse the wound with an antiseptic solution
C. Apply a wet-to-dry dressing to the wound
D. Perform a wound culture before administering antibiotics

Correct answer: D

Rationale: The nurse should prioritize performing a wound culture before administering antibiotics to ensure appropriate treatment. This step helps identify the specific infecting organism and its susceptibility to different antibiotics, guiding effective antibiotic therapy. Changing the dressing daily (Choice A) is important but comes after assessing the infection and initiating appropriate treatment. Cleansing the wound with an antiseptic solution (Choice B) and applying a wet-to-dry dressing (Choice C) are interventions that may be necessary but are secondary to determining the most suitable antibiotic therapy based on the wound culture results.

4. A nurse is planning an educational program for high school students about cigarette smoking. Which of the following potential consequences of smoking is most likely to discourage adolescents from using tobacco?

A. Use of tobacco might lead to alcohol and drug abuse.
B. Smoking in adolescence increases the risk of developing lung cancer later in life.
C. Use of tobacco decreases the level of athletic ability.
D. Smoking in adolescence increases the risk of lifelong addiction.

Correct answer: C

Rationale: The most likely consequence to discourage adolescents from smoking is the immediate effect of decreased athletic ability. This consequence is more tangible and relevant to high school students compared to long-term health risks like lung cancer or addiction. While choices A, B, and D are all negative outcomes of smoking, choice C is more likely to have a direct impact on adolescents due to its immediate and visible effects on their physical performance.

5. What are the key interventions for managing a patient with asthma?

A. Administer bronchodilators and monitor oxygen levels
B. Encourage deep breathing exercises
C. Provide corticosteroids and monitor for respiratory distress
D. Provide antihistamines and monitor blood pressure

Correct answer: A

Rationale: The correct answer is A: Administer bronchodilators and monitor oxygen levels. Asthma management involves using bronchodilators to help open the airways and improve breathing. Monitoring oxygen levels is essential to ensure the patient is getting enough oxygen. Choice B, encouraging deep breathing exercises, can be helpful for some respiratory conditions but is not a key intervention for managing an acute asthma attack. Choice C, providing corticosteroids and monitoring for respiratory distress, is important for long-term asthma management and severe exacerbations but is not the immediate key intervention during an acute attack. Choice D, providing antihistamines and monitoring blood pressure, is not typically indicated for asthma management as asthma is primarily an airway disease, not a histamine-mediated condition.