Question

A nurse is educating a client about monitoring blood pressure readings at home. Which of the following will the nurse be sure to emphasize?

A. Sit with legs crossed when taking your blood pressure
B. Sit quietly for 5 minutes prior to taking blood pressure
C. Be sure the forearm is well supported above heart level while taking blood pressure
D. Avoid smoking cigarettes for 8 hours prior to taking blood pressure

Answer 1

The nurse should stress the importance of sitting quietly for 5 minutes before measuring blood pressure and avoiding smoking for 8 hours prior to taking the measurement to ensure accurate readings.

Step-by-step explanation:

When educating a client about monitoring blood pressure readings at home, it is essential for the nurse to emphasize specific procedures to ensure accurate readings. Among the options provided, the nurse should emphasize:

• B. Sit quietly for 5 minutes prior to taking blood pressure, which helps to stabilize the cardiovascular system, providing a more accurate reflection of the blood pressure.
• D. Avoid smoking cigarettes for 8 hours prior to taking blood pressure, as nicotine can temporarily raise blood pressure and could skew the readings.

The nurse should also inform the client that the forearm should be supported at heart level, but not above it, and that the legs should not be crossed, as these can affect the accuracy of the blood pressure measurement.