Brunner & Suddarth's Textbook of Medical-Surgical Nursing 14e (Hinkle 2017) - Individual and Family Homeostasis, Stress, and Adaptation Related

Review Brunner & Suddarth's Textbook of Medical-Surgical Nursing 14e (Hinkle 2017) - Individual and Family Homeostasis, Stress, and Adaptation related questions and content

What statement should guide the nurses response?

  • A. She should not worry; it was stress related and her regular blood pressure is good.
  • B. The first blood pressure was part of a simple stress response; our long-term blood pressure is controlled by negative feedback systems.
  • C. Blood pressure is only one measure of hypertension; she should review this with the doctor and plan to recheck it on a regular basis.
  • D. The respiratory infection is the probably the cause of the elevated blood pressure, and, with treatment, her blood pressure should remain normal.
Correct Answer: B

Rationale: A simple stress response will temporarily elevate a blood pressure and heart rate. Long-term blood pressure response is controlled by negative feedback systems. For a science teacher, this would be an appropriate level of teaching/learning and would serve to promote health. The nurse would be incorrect in assuming the patients blood pressure is good based on only two blood pressure readings. The stress of a respiratory infection could account for the elevated blood pressure, but assuring the patient that, with treatment, her blood pressure will return to normal may not be true.