Final answer:
The nurse should continue with the blood pressure assessment after hearing the first Korotkoff sound, as it indicates the systolic pressure. The diastolic pressure is noted when the last sound is heard.
Step-by-step explanation:
After initiating a blood pressure cuff and releasing the valve, the nurse hears silence followed by a Korotkoff sound. The action that the nurse should take next is to continue with the blood pressure assessment. The first Korotkoff sound heard through the stethoscope indicates the systolic pressure. As the cuff's pressure decreases further and blood flow through the brachial artery becomes less turbulent and eventually silent, the last Korotkoff sound heard is noted as the diastolic pressure. The technique of measuring blood pressure involves using a sphygmomanometer (a blood pressure cuff attached to a measuring device) and a stethoscope, and is a crucial part of assessing a patient's cardiovascular health.
After initiating a blood pressure cuff and releasing the valve, the nurse hears silence followed by a Korotkoff sound. The next action the nurse should take is to note the presence of an auscultatory gap. The auscultatory gap is a temporary disappearance of sound between the systolic and diastolic pressures. It is important for the nurse to be aware of this gap in order to obtain an accurate blood pressure measurement.
the correct option is b. Reinflate the cuff to a higher numbe