Medical Emergencies · single question
A patient under sedation shows an erratic/dropping blood pressure reading on the monitoring machine. What should you do FIRST?
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Correct answer: D. Check the blood pressure cuff and tubing to ensure proper placement
- A. Incorrect. Oxygen administration may be appropriate but should not precede verifying whether the reading is real or artifact.
- B. Incorrect. Administering epinephrine without confirming the reading is real and without a clear indication is dangerous.
- C. Incorrect. Calling 911 based on a potentially erroneous reading before verifying it is premature.
- D. Correct. ERRATIC readings on a monitoring machine should first be attributed to EQUIPMENT/TECHNICAL ERROR until proven otherwise. The FIRST step is to CHECK THE BP CUFF AND TUBE — verify proper cuff size, placement, and tube integrity. If the reading is confirmed after re-checking, then clinical assessment and emergency response follow.
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