Practice Question
When a nurse obtains an unusually low blood pressure measurement for a client whose blood pressure is generally elevated, she considers the possibility of a problem with her technique. Which of the following sources of error should she consider as a possible cause of the low reading?
Answer Choices:
Correct Answer:
Positioning the client's arm above heart level
Rationale:
● Positioning the arm above heart level decreases hydrostatic pressure, leading to falsely low blood pressure readings.
● Wrapping the cuff too loosely usually causes falsely high readings.
● Measuring blood pressure after meals does not typically lower readings and may slightly increase it.
● Deflating the cuff too slowly can distort the reading but generally causes falsely high systolic and low diastolic readings.
● Proper arm positioning at heart level is essential for accurate blood pressure measurement.
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This question is from ATI LPN Fundamentals Exam 3 which contains 40 questions.
More Questions from This Exam
A nurse is caring for a client who has pneumonia. The client's oxygen saturation is 88%. Which of the following actions should the nurse take first?
Answer Choices:
A. Initiate humidification therapy.
B. Encourage the client to cough and deep breathe.
C. Increase the client's oral fluid intake.
D. Raise the head of the bed.
A client complains of an inability to sleep through the night since admission three days ago. Which of the following factors is most likely to negatively affect the patient's sleep patterns?
Answer Choices:
A. Moderate fatigue
B. Ability to talk about day's events
C. Presence of pain
D. Absence of unfamiliar stimuli
A patient has an elevated temperature. The nurse assesses the patient and finds the skin flushed and very warm. The patient is oriented to person, place, time, and situation, and expresses severe fatigue. The most appropriate nursing action at this time would be to:
Answer Choices:
A. Remove blankets and offer fluids
B. Increase the patient's activity
C. Place ice bags on the patient's skin
D. Decrease the patient's intake
A nurse is caring for a client who reports a state of increasing anxiety and the inability to sleep and concentrate. Which of the following is an appropriate response by the nurse?
Answer Choices:
A. "It sounds like you're having a difficult time."
B. "Have you talked to your provider about this yet?"
C. "Why do you think you are so anxious?"
D. "Everyone has trouble sleeping at times."
A nurse is checking the apical pulse of a client who is taking several cardiovascular medications. Which of the following actions should the nurse take?
Answer Choices:
A. Use the diaphragm of the stethoscope to listen to the apical pulsations
B. Count the apical pulsations for a full minute
C. Press the stethoscope firmly against the client's skin
D. Check the apical pulse with a Doppler device
Question Details
- Category: LPN Nursing Exam(s)
- Subcategory: LPN ATI Exams
- Domain: Fundamentals of Nursing
- Answer Choices: 4