Question

A 75-year-old client has a baseline blood pressure of 140/90 mm hg. the nurse obtains a sitting blood pressure in the client's left arm, and the reading is 160/100 mm hg. what action should the nurse take next?

Answer 1

It is also necessary for the nurse to obtain a sitting blood pressure in the right arm of the client. The nurse should then ask the client to stand up and the take the blood pressure in the left as well as the right arm.

Answer 2

The nurse should retake the blood pressure of the patient at the other arm, ideally after a few minutes of rest period. This is to confirm that the blood pressure is indeed elevated from the baseline of 160/100 mmHg. Next, the nurse should also take the blood pressure of the client at both arms while standing. Normally, blood pressure will decrease upon standing and the nurse should note whether or not there are any changes in the baseline blood pressure after doing this.