Final answer:
To ensure accurate blood pressure measurement, the nurse should avoid taking the reading immediately after the patient ingests nicotine or caffeine, as these substances can temporarily elevate blood pressure.
Step-by-step explanation:
The nurse ensures an accurate measurement by avoiding taking a blood pressure immediately after nicotine or caffeine ingestion.
Taking a blood pressure reading immediately after a patient has ingested nicotine or caffeine can lead to inaccurate results, as these substances can temporarily raise blood pressure. When measuring blood pressure, it is crucial to have the patient seated comfortably with their arm supported at heart level, to use an appropriately sized cuff that encircles at least 80% of the arm, and to allow the patient to rest quietly for five minutes before taking a measurement. These steps help ensure that the blood pressure reading reflects the patient's true resting state and is not influenced by recent physical or chemical factors that could affect the cardiovascular system.
Therefore, properly sizing the blood pressure cuff, allowing for rest before measurement, and ensuring the patient has not recently ingested substances known to affect blood pressure are essential for obtaining an accurate blood pressure measurement.