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When teaching a patient about antihypertensive drug therapy, which statements by the nurse are correct?
- A. You need to have your blood pressure checked once a week and keep track of the readings.
- B. If you notice that the symptoms have gone away, you should be able to stop taking the drug.
- C. An exercise program may be helpful in treating hypertension, but let's check with your doctor first.
- D. If you experience severe side effects, stop the medicine and let us know at your next office visit.
- E. Most over-the-counter decongestants are compatible with antihypertensive drugs.
- F. Please continue taking the medication, even if you are feeling better.
Correct Answer: A,C,F
Rationale: Keeping a record of weekly blood pressure checks helps to monitor the effectiveness of the therapy. An exercise program may be beneficial but should be confirmed with the prescriber. Therapy is often lifelong, and patients should continue taking the medication even if feeling better to prevent rebound hypertension. Abruptly stopping medication or assuming over-the-counter decongestants are safe can lead to serious complications.
You may also like to solve these questions
When counseling a male patient about the possible adverse effects of antihypertensive drugs, the nurse will discuss which potential problem?
- A. Impotence
- B. Bradycardia
- C. Increased libido
- D. Weight gain
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: Sexual dysfunction is a common complication of antihypertensive medications and may be manifested in men as decreased libido or impotence. The other options are incorrect.
During a follow-up visit, the health care provider examines the fundus of the patient's eye. Afterward, the patient asks the nurse, -Why is he looking at my eyes when I have high blood pressure? It does not make sense to me! What is the best response by the nurse?
- A. We need to monitor for drug toxicity.
- B. We must watch for increased intraocular pressure.
- C. The provider is assessing for visual changes that may occur with drug therapy.
- D. The provider is making sure the treatment is effective over the long term.
Correct Answer: D
Rationale: The physician would examine the fundus of a patient's eyes during antihypertensive therapy because it is a more reliable indicator than blood pressure readings of the long-term effectiveness of treatment.
A patient who is now in heart failure after a recent myocardial infarction will be receiving a new prescription for eplerenone. The nurse is reviewing the patient's laboratory results and will report which of these as a potential contraindication?
- A. Serum sodium level 136 mEq/L
- B. Serum potassium 5.6 mEq/L
- C. Elevated white blood cell count
- D. Elevated cardiac troponin levels
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Eplerenone is contraindicated in patients with elevated serum potassium levels (higher than 5.5 mEq/L). The other answers are incorrect.
A patient is to receive enalapril 5 mg IV every 6 hours. Each dose is given over 5 minutes. The medication is available in an injectable form, 1.25 mg/mL. Identify how many milliliters of medication will the nurse draw up for each dose.
Correct Answer: 4 mL
Rationale: 1.25 mg : 1 mL :: 5 mg : x mL; (1.25 * x) = (1 * 5); 1.25x = 5; x = 4 mL.
A patient with primary hypertension is prescribed drug therapy for the first time. The patient asks how long drug therapy will be needed. Which answer by the nurse is the correct response?
- A. This therapy will take about 3 months.
- B. This therapy will take about a year.
- C. This therapy will go on until your symptoms disappear.
- D. Therapy for high blood pressure is usually lifelong.
Correct Answer: D
Rationale: There is no cure for hypertension, and treatment will be lifelong. The other answers are not appropriate.