Ch. 22 Antihypertensive Drugs

A patient has a new order for the adrenergic drug doxazosin (Cardura). When providing education about this drug, the nurse will include which instructions?

"Be sure to lie down after taking the first dose, because first-dose hypotension may make you dizzy."

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?

"The provider is making sure the treatment is effective over the long-term."

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?

"Therapy for high blood pressure is usually life long"

When teaching a patient about antihypertensive drug therapy, which statements by the nurse are correct? (Select all that apply.)

-"You need to have your blood pressure checked once a week and keep track of the readings." -"An exercise program may be helpful in treating hypertension, but let's check with your doctor first." -"Please continue taking the medication, even if you are feeling better."

A patient's blood pressure elevates to 270/150 mm Hg, and a hypertensive emergency is obvious. He is transferred to the intensive care unit and started on a sodium nitroprusside (Nipride) drip to be titrated per his response. With this medication, the nurse knows that the maximum dose of this drug should be infused for how long?

10 minutes

The nurse is reviewing the JNC 7 guidelines for treatment of hypertension. Which blood pressure would be classified as "prehypertension" according to the JNC 7 guidelines?

130/88 mmHg

A patient who has been taking antihypertensive drugs for a few months complains of having a persistent dry cough. The nurse knows that this cough is an adverse effect of which class of antihypertensive drugs?

Angiotensin-converting enzyme (ACE) inhibitors

A patient with severe liver disease is receiving the angiotensin converting enzyme (ACE) inhibitor, captopril (Capoten). The nurse is aware that the advantage of this drug for this patient is which characteristic?

Captopril is not a prodrug and does not need to be metabolized by the liver before becoming active.

An elderly patient will be taking a vasodilator for hypertension. Which adverse effect is of most concern for the older adult patient taking this class of drug?

Hypotension

When counseling a male patient about the possible adverse effects of antihypertensive drugs, the nurse will discuss which potential problem?

Impotence

The nurse is reviewing the orders for a patient and notes a new order for an angiotensin-converting enzyme (ACE) inhibitor. The nurse checks the current medication orders, knowing that this drug class may have a serious interaction with what other drug class?

Non steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs

The nurse is reviewing drug therapy for hypertension. According to the JNC 7 guidelines, antihypertensive drug therapy for a newly diagnosed stage 1 hypertensive African-American patient would most likely include which drug or drug classes?

calcium channel blockers with thiazide diuretics.

. The nurse is preparing for a community education program on hypertension. Which of these parameters determine the regulation of arterial blood pressure?

cardiac output and systemic vascular resistance

A pregnant woman is experiencing hypertension. The nurse knows that which drug is commonly used for a pregnant patient who is experiencing hypertension?

methyldopa (Aldomet)

A patient with type 2 diabetes mellitus has been found to have trace proteinuria. The prescriber writes an order for an angiotensin-converting enzyme (ACE) inhibitor. What is the main reason for prescribing this class of drug for this patient?

renal protective effects

The nurse is creating a plan of care for a patient with a new diagnosis of hypertension. Which is a potential nursing diagnosis for the patient taking antihypertensive medications?

sexual dysfunction