Question

Which action can the nurse take to keep a patient from consciously controlling his or her breathing during an assessment?

A. Take the patient's temperature while counting the respiratory rate.
B. Assess respiration after measuring the pulse.
C. Assess respiration after taking the blood pressure.
D. Assess respiration before measuring the blood pressure.

Answer 1

To keep a patient from consciously controlling their breathing during an assessment, the nurse should assess respiration before measuring the blood pressure.

Step-by-step explanation:

To keep a patient from consciously controlling their breathing during an assessment, the nurse should assess respiration before measuring the blood pressure. By assessing respiration before other activities, the nurse can prevent the patient from consciously altering their breathing pattern. This way, the respiratory rate can be accurately measured and provide valuable information about the patient's condition.