Final answer:
A nurse might note an increase in blood pressure and pulse in a patient experiencing chronic pain from fibromyalgia, reflecting the body’s stress response.
Step-by-step explanation:
The question asks what changes in vital signs a nurse might note in a patient experiencing chronic pain from fibromyalgia for the past six months. In the context of Patient B, whose symptoms include weight loss, profuse sweating, increased heart rate, and difficulty sleeping, one could anticipate an increase in blood pressure and pulse due to the body’s response to stress and pain. This is supported by the physiological responses such as increased epinephrine and norepinephrine release by the adrenal glands, and changes seen in thyroid hormone levels, both of which are associated with increased heart rate and blood pressure.