National Physical Therapy Examination (NPTE) Practice Exam

What is the most appropriate method to obtain blood pressure readings for a patient with left upper extremity lymphedema before aerobic exercise?

1. Take blood pressure on the left upper extremity

2. Take blood pressure on the right upper extremity

3. Take blood pressure while the patient is lying down

4. Take blood pressure on the left lower extremity

The correct answer is: Take blood pressure on the left upper extremity

The most appropriate method to obtain blood pressure readings for a patient with left upper extremity lymphedema before aerobic exercise is to measure blood pressure on the right upper extremity. Patients with lymphedema often experience swelling and other complications in the affected limb, which can skew blood pressure readings if taken from that arm. Therefore, it is essential to avoid using the affected limb to ensure accuracy and safety. Taking blood pressure while the patient is lying down may not provide the most accurate assessment, as blood pressure can vary significantly with body position. Measuring on the left lower extremity is generally not preferred unless there are specific clinical reasons to do so, as this could introduce additional variability in readings. Hence, using the right arm ensures that the measurement is both precise and indicative of the individual's cardiovascular status without interference from any leg edema or complications arising from lymphedema.