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The nurse is caring for a client with essential hypertension. The nurse reviews lab work and assesses kidney function. Which action of the kidney would the nurse evaluate as the body's attempt to regulate high blood pressure?
- A. The kidney retains sodium and water.
- B. The kidney excretes sodium and water.
- C. The kidney retains sodium and excretes water.
- D. The kidney retains water and excretes sodium.
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Hypernatremia (elevated serum sodium level) increases blood volume, which raises blood pressure. The kidney's response to the elevation in blood pressure is to excrete sodium and excess water. Any retention of sodium and water would increase blood volume and, thus, blood pressure. Sodium and water move together.
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The nurse is screening a client at a health fair for hypertension. Which assessment data, provided by the client, would prompt the nurse to stress physician involvement? Select all that apply.
- A. Fatigue
- B. Constipation
- C. Headache
- D. Insomnia
- E. Dysuria
- F. Blurred vision
Correct Answer: A,C,D,F
Rationale: When assessing the client for symptoms of hypertension, the nurse should recognize that the client may note fatigue, headache, insomnia, and blurred vision. Other symptoms include dizziness, nervousness, nosebleeds, angina, and dyspnea. Constipation and dysuria are not signs of hypertension.
The nurse is caring for a client with hypertension. The nurse is correct to realize that a 24-hour urine is ordered to determine if the cause of hypertension is related to the dysfunction of what?
- A. Thyroid gland
- B. Adrenal gland
- C. Pituitary gland
- D. Thymus
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: The 24-hour urine collection specimen is ordered to determine dysfunction of the adrenal gland. The 24-hour urine detects elevated catecholamines. The other options are not evaluated by a 24-hour urine.
Which of the following client scenarios would be correct for the nurse to identify as a client with secondary hypertension?
- A. A client experiencing depression
- B. A client diagnosed with kidney disease
- C. A client of advanced age
- D. A client with excessive alcohol intake
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Secondary hypertension is an elevated blood pressure that results from or is secondary to some other disorder such as kidney disease, a tumor of the adrenal medulla, or atherosclerosis. Depression alone is typically not associated with hypertension. Advanced age and alcohol intake are considered factors for essential hypertension.
The nurse and a dietitian are instructing the client on a low-sodium diet needed to lower the blood pressure. Which question is most important for the nurse to ask?
- A. Who eats meals with you?
- B. How do you prepare your food?
- C. Do you eat three meals per day?
- D. Do you snack in the evening?
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Asking the client how food is prepared gives the nurse and dietitian the ability to judge the sodium content. Typically, canned or prepared food and food from a restaurant will have elevated sodium levels. Sodium content in food prepared from fresh ingredients is usually minimal. Asking about whom the client eats with or the client's eating patterns are not as helpful in determining sodium content.
The nurse is teaching a client about chronic untreated hypertension. What complication will the nurse explain to the client?
- A. peripheral edema
- B. right-sided heart failure
- C. stroke
- D. pulmonary insufficiency
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: A stroke occurs if vessels in the brain rupture and bleed. If an aneurysm has developed in the aorta from chronic hypertension, it may burst and cause hemorrhage and shock. Peripheral edema, right-sided heart failure, and pulmonary insufficiency are not usually consequences of untreated chronic hypertension.