Nokea
The hospital nurse cares for many patients who have hypertension. What nursing diagnosis is most common among patients who are being treated for this health problem?
- A. Deficient knowledge regarding the lifestyle modifications for management of hypertension
- B. Noncompliance with therapeutic regimen related to adverse effects of prescribed therapy
- C. Deficient knowledge regarding BP monitoring
- D. Noncompliance with treatment regimen related to medication costs
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Deviation from the therapeutic program is a significant problem for people with hypertension and other chronic conditions requiring lifetime management. For many patients, this is related to adverse effects of medications. Medication cost is relevant for many patients, but adverse effects are thought to be a more significant barrier. Many patients are aware of necessary lifestyle modification, but do not adhere to them. Most patients are aware of the need to monitor their BP.
You may also like to solve these questions
The nurse is providing care for a patient with a diagnosis of hypertension. The nurse should consequently assess the patient for signs and symptoms of which other health problem?
- A. Migraines
- B. Atrial-septal defect
- C. Atherosclerosis
- D. Thrombocytopenia
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: Hypertension is both a sign and a risk factor for atherosclerotic heart disease. It is not associated with structural cardiac defects, low platelet levels, or migraines.
A nurse is performing blood pressure screenings at a local health fair. While obtaining subjective assessment data from a patient with hypertension, the nurse learns that the patient has a family history of hypertension and she herself has high cholesterol and lipid levels. The patient says she smokes one pack of cigarettes daily and drinks about a pack of beer every day. The nurse notes what nonmodifiable risk factor for hypertension?
- A. Hyperlipidemia
- B. Excessive alcohol intake
- C. A family history of hypertension
- D. Closer adherence to medical regimen
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: Unlike cholesterol levels, alcohol intake, and adherence to treatment, family history is not modifiable.
A patient in a hypertensive emergency is admitted to the ICU. The nurse anticipates that the patient will be treated with IV vasodilators, and that the primary goal of treatment is what?
- A. Lower the BP to reduce onset of neurologic symptoms, such as headache and vision changes
- B. Decrease the BP to a normal level based on the patients age
- C. Decrease the mean arterial pressure between 20% and 25% in the first hour of treatment
- D. Reduce the BP to 120/75 mm Hg as quickly as possible
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: Initially, the treatment goal in hypertensive emergencies is to reduce the mean arterial pressure by 25% in the first hour of treatment, with further reduction over the next 24 hours. Lowering the BP too fast may cause hypotension in a patient whose body has adjusted to hypertension and could cause a stroke, MI, or visual changes. Neurologic symptoms should be addressed, but this is not the primary focus of treatment planning.
The nurse is developing a nursing care plan for a patient who is being treated for hypertension. What is a measurable patient outcome that the nurse should include?
- A. Patient will reduce Na+ intake to no more than 2.4 g daily
- B. Patient will have a stable BUN and serum creatinine levels
- C. Patient will abstain from fat intake and reduce calorie intake
- D. Patient will maintain a normal body weight
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: Dietary sodium intake of no more than 2.4 g sodium is recommended as a dietary lifestyle modification to prevent and manage hypertension. Giving a specific amount of allowable sodium intake makes this a measurable goal. None of the other listed goals is quantifiable and measurable.
A nurse is teaching an adult female patient about the risk factors for hypertension. What should the nurse explain as risk factors for primary hypertension?
- A. Obesity and high intake of sodium and saturated fat
- B. Diabetes and use of oral contraceptives
- C. Metabolic syndrome and smoking
- D. Renal disease and coarctation of the aorta
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: Obesity, stress, high intake of sodium or saturated fat, and family history are all risk factors for primary hypertension. Diabetes and oral contraceptives are risk factors for secondary hypertension. Metabolic syndrome, renal disease, and coarctation of the aorta are causes of secondary hypertension.