Question

A CPCT is assisting with the care of a patient who is 8 hours post-operative after a repair of a fractured femur. The CPCT is checking vital signs every 4 hours and notices changes in his vital signs. Which of the following values should be reported to the nurse?

A) Blood pressure of 140/90 mm Hg
B) Respiratory rate of 18 breaths/min
C) Temperature of 99.8°F
D) Heart rate of 110 beats/min

Answer 1

The values that should be reported to the nurse are a blood pressure of 140/90 mm Hg and a heart rate of 110 beats per minute, as they are outside the normal range.

Step-by-step explanation:

In this scenario, the CPCT is checking the patient's vital signs every 4 hours. The values that should be reported to the nurse are those that show changes from the normal range. The normal range for blood pressure is between 90/60 and 120/80 mm Hg, so a blood pressure of 140/90 mm Hg should be reported as it is higher than the normal range. The normal range for respiratory rate is 12-18 breaths per minute, so a respiratory rate of 18 breaths per minute is within the normal range and does not need to be reported. The normal body temperature is 37 °C or 98.6 °F, so a temperature of 99.8 °F is slightly elevated but still within the normal range. The normal range for heart rate is 60-100 beats per minute, so a heart rate of 110 beats per minute is higher than the normal range and should be reported to the nurse.