Final answer:
A nurse should first ensure the blood pressure cuff is correctly positioned on the patient's arm at heart level and inflate the cuff to above the expected systolic pressure to obtain an estimate of a client's systolic B/P.
Step-by-step explanation:
To Obtain an Estimate of a Client's Systolic B/P
To obtain an estimate of a client's systolic Blood Pressure (B/P), the first action that a nurse should take is to properly position the blood pressure cuff on the patient's arm. The cuff should be wrapped tightly around the patient's upper arm, at about the level of the heart, ensuring that the sphygmomanometer is ready to use.
She would then use a rubber pump to inject air into the cuff, which will raise the pressure around the artery and temporarily cut off blood flow in the arm. This is followed by gradually releasing the pressure while listening with a stethoscope to identify the moment when the systolic pressure allows blood to spurt back into the artery, indicated by a tapping sound. This is the systolic reading. It is important that this process is done correctly to ensure an accurate measurement of the systolic pressure.