Question

The nurse is caring for a patient with an arterial monitoring system. The nurse assesses the patients noninvasive cuff blood pressure to be 70/40 mm Hg. The arterial blood pressure measurement via an intraarterial catheter in the same arm is assessed by the nurse to be 108/70 mm Hg. What is the best action by the nurse?

Answer 1

The nurse should recognize the potential for an inaccuracy in the noninvasive cuff blood pressure reading and prioritize the intraarterial measurement for accurate assessment and appropriate intervention.

In this scenario, there is a notable discrepancy between the noninvasive cuff blood pressure reading (70/40 mm Hg) and the arterial blood pressure measurement obtained via an intraarterial catheter (108/70 mm Hg). The significant difference suggests that the noninvasive cuff reading may be inaccurate, potentially due to factors such as improper cuff size, positioning, or the patient's vascular condition.

Given the reliability of intraarterial monitoring, the nurse should prioritize the arterial blood pressure measurement as it provides a more accurate representation of the patient's actual blood pressure. Accurate blood pressure assessment is crucial for appropriate clinical decision-making and intervention, and reliance on the intraarterial measurement ensures that the nurse responds based on the most reliable data, ultimately optimizing patient care and safety.