Question

When assessing a client's blood pressure, the nurse notes that the blood pressure reading in the right arm is 10 mm hg higher than the blood pressure reading in the left arm. the nurse understands what about this finding?

Answer 1

When auscultating blood pressures, readings between the arms can vary as much as 10 mm Hg and are often higher in the right arm. Readings that differ by 15 mm Hg or more suggest atherosclerosis or disease of the aorta. Lymphedema is swelling in one or more extremities that is the result from impaired flow of the lymphatic system.