The nurse has assessed a client’s blood pressure (BP) using the left t

The nurse has assessed a client’s blood pressure (BP) using the left thigh because of bilateral up-per arm casts. The client’s precasting left arm BP was 108/70 mm Hg. The nurse expects the pre-sent BP reading to be:

1. 10-40 mm Hg higher systolic pressure than before the casting
2. 5-10 mm Hg higher reading in both systolic and diastolic pressures
3. Representative of the original baseline established before the casting
4. A slight decrease in the diastolic pressure when compared to precasting pressure

ANSWER

ANS: 1
Systolic pressure in the legs is usually higher by 10 to 40 mm Hg than in the brachial artery, but the diastolic pressure is the same.