For which client should the assistant participate in electronic BP measurement?

• A. A school-age child
• B. A client recovering from extensive abdominal surgery
• C. A client who has stabilized BP measurements
• D. A BP lower than the expected reference range

Answer: (C)

Electronic BP measurement is best used for routine, stable monitoring. When a patient’s blood pressure is already stabilized, readings are less likely to be affected by rapid changes or unstable perfusion, so an automated device can reliably and efficiently provide the needed data. This makes it appropriate for a nursing assistant or other un licensed personnel to perform, freeing the nurse to focus on more complex needs or assessments.

In the other scenarios, measuring with an automated device would require extra caution or physician/nurse involvement: a school-age child may need a properly sized pediatric cuff and careful technique; a client recovering from extensive abdominal surgery may experience fluctuations in BP that require closer RN assessment and monitoring; and a blood pressure that is lower than expected raises concerns about perfusion and stability, often necessitating manual measurement and clinical interpretation rather than routine automated checks.