When getting a postoperative patient out of bed for the first time,the patient immediately feels light-headed and then faints.What are the appropriate actions of the nurse?

A) Have the patient lie down.
B) Report findings to the health care provider.
C) Instruct the patient not to get out of bed without assistance.
D) Have the nursing assistant check the patient's orthostatic blood pressure.
E) Take the BP in each arm and use the arm with the lowest systolic reading.

Question

Kayla Minton · Accepted Answer

Final Answer : A,B,C, Explanation :  Orthostatic hypotension occurs when patients with normal blood pressure experience a drop in blood pressure upon rising to an upright position and is associated with symptoms of light-headedness or dizziness.If orthostatic signs or symptoms such as dizziness,weakness,light-headedness,feeling faint,or sudden pallor occur,stop BP measurement and return patient to a supine position.Report the findings of orthostatic hypotension or orthostatic signs or symptoms to the nurse in charge or the health care provider.Instruct the patient to ask for assistance when getting out of bed if orthostatic hypotension is present or orthostatic signs or symptoms occur.The skill of measuring orthostatic blood pressure cannot be delegated to nursing assistive personnel in an unstable patient.With the patient supine,take a BP reading in each arm.Select the arm with the highest systolic reading for subsequent measurements.

Definitions

Learning Objectives

Learning Objectives

Related questions