A medical assistant takes orthostatic blood pressure readings for a patient. The supine reading is 128/82 mmHg; when the patient stands, the reading is 102/68 mmHg. The patient reports dizziness. How should the medical assistant respond?
- A.Document the readings and send the patient to the waiting room
- B.Have the patient sit down, stay with the patient, and immediately notify the provider
- C.Repeat the standing blood pressure three times until the readings normalize
- D.Administer oral fluids and recheck blood pressure in 30 minutes independently
Show answer & rationale
Correct answer
B. Have the patient sit down, stay with the patient, and immediately notify the provider
Rationale
B is correct: A drop in systolic BP of 26 mmHg upon standing with symptoms (dizziness) defines orthostatic hypotension and is a fall risk. The medical assistant must ensure the patient's safety (sitting down), remain with them, and notify the provider promptly. A is incorrect: Sending a dizzy patient to the waiting room is a fall risk and disregards the abnormal finding. C is incorrect: Repeatedly standing the patient may worsen dizziness and risk a fall; the abnormal finding requires provider notification, not repeated testing. D is incorrect: Independently ordering fluids and setting a 30-minute wait is outside the CMA scope of practice; the provider must direct interventions.
Key concepts