Medical-Surgical Nursing Chapter 32 Consummate Discretion.

C Nicotine contained in tobacco products (smoking and chew) cause vasoconstriction and increase blood pressure. Persons with hypertension should restrict sodium to 1500 mg/day by avoiding foods high in sodium and not adding salt in preparation of food or at meals. Weight loss can decrease blood pressure between 5 to 20 mm Hg. Following dietary recommendations (e.g., the DASH diet) lowers blood pressure, and these decreases compare with those achieved with blood pressure-lowering medication. The nurse supervises an unlicensed assistant personnel (UAP) who is taking the blood pressure of 58-yr-old obese female patient admitted with heart failure. Which action by the UAP will require the nurse to intervene? A. Waiting 2 minutes after position changes to take orthostatic pressures B. Deflating the blood pressure cuff at a rate of 8 to 10 mm Hg per second C. Taking the blood pressure with the patient's arm at the level of the heart D. Taking a forearm blood pressure because the largest cuff will not fit the patient's upper arm B. The cuff should be deflated at a rate of 2 to 3 mm Hg per second. The arm should be supported at the level of the heart for accurate blood pressure measurements. Using a cuff that is too small causes a falsely high reading and too large causes a falsely low reading. If the maximum size blood pressure cuff does not fit the upper arm, the forearm may be used. Orthostatic blood pressures should be taken within 1 to 2 minutes of repositioning the patient. A 44-yr-old man is diagnosed with hypertension and receives a prescription for benazepril (Lotensin). After providing instruction, which statement by the patient indicates correct understanding? A. "If I take this medication, I will not need to follow a special diet." B. "It is normal to have some swelling in my face while taking this medication."