Final answer:
When a patient's blood pressure is abnormal, the nurse should review the patient's record, check cuff size and positioning, promptly report the findings, and possibly retake the blood pressure after rest.
Step-by-step explanation:
If a patient's blood pressure is not within normal limits, the nurse should take several steps. First, the nurse should review the blood pressure readings in the patient's record to look for any patterns or changes. Second, the nurse should assess for proper cuff size and arm positioning to ensure an accurate reading. Third, it is important to promptly report the assessment data to the nurse in charge or to the health care provider. Lastly, the nurse may encourage the patient to rest quietly in bed for 30 minutes, and then retake the blood pressure.