Assessment and Management of Patients With Hypertension

A nurse is caring for a client who has hypertension and diabetes mellitus. The client's blood pressure this morning was 150/92 mm Hg. When the client asks the nurse what his or her blood pressure should be, what is the nurse's most appropriate response? "Your blood pressure is fine. Just keep doing what you're doing." "The current recommendation is for everyone to have blood pressure of 140/90 mm Hg or lower." "The lower the better. Blood pressure of 130/80 mm Hg is best for everyone." "Clients with diabetes should have a lower blood pressure goal. You should strive for 120/80 mm Hg."

"Clients with diabetes should have a lower blood pressure goal. You should strive for 120/80 mm Hg." An individual with diabetes mellitus should strive for blood pressure of 120/80 mm Hg or less. An individual without diabetes should strive for blood pressure of 140/90 mm Hg or less.

The nurse is teaching a client diagnosed with hypertension about the DASH diet. How many servings of meat, fish, and poultry should the client consume per day? 2 or fewer 2 or 3 4 or 5 7 or 8

2 or fewer

According to the DASH diet, how many servings of vegetables should a person consume each day? 2 or fewer 2 or 3 4 or 5 7 or 8

4 or 5

A blood pressure (BP) of 140/90 mm Hg is considered to be normal. prehypertension. hypertension. a hypertensive emergency.

hypertension.

The nurse teaches the client which guidelines regarding lifestyle modifications for hypertension? Reduce smoking to no more than four cigarettes per day Limit aerobic physical activity to 15 minutes, three times per week Stop alcohol intake Maintain adequate dietary intake of fruits and vegetables

Maintain adequate dietary intake of fruits and vegetables

When measuring blood pressure in each arm of a healthy adult, the nurse recognizes that the pressures must be equal in both arms. may vary 10 mm Hg or more between arms. differ no more than 5 mm Hg between arms. may vary, with the higher pressure found in the left arm.

differ no more than 5 mm Hg between arms.

A client who is newly diagnosed with hypertension is going to be starting antihypertensive medicine. What is one of the main things the client and the client's spouse should watch for? dizziness persistent cough blurred vision tremor

dizziness A common adverse effect of all antihypertensive drugs is postural hypotension, which can lead to falls. The client and the client's spouse should be alerted to this possibility and provided with some tips for managing dizziness.

A client with a history of hypertension is receiving client education about structures that regulate arterial pressure. Which structure is a component of that process? kidneys parasympathetic nervous system limbic system lungs

kidneys The autonomic nervous system, the kidneys, and various endocrine glands regulate arterial pressure.

A diabetic client visits a walk-in clinic and asks the nurse to take a blood pressure (BP) reading. The measurements are 150/90 mm Hg. Which of the following would the nurse expect as the treatment to normalize the client's BP? Smoking cessation programs Low-fat diet Daily exercise Drug therapy

Drug therapy

A nurse providing education about hypertension to a community group is discussing the high risk for cardiovascular complications. What are risk factors for cardiovascular problems in clients with hypertension? Select all that apply. Gallbladder disease Smoking Diabetes mellitus Physical inactivity Frequent upper respiratory infections

Smoking Diabetes mellitus Physical inactivity Risk factors for cardiovascular problems in clients with hypertension include smoking, dyslipidemia, diabetes mellitus, impaired renal function, obesity, physical inactivity, age, and family history.

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? The kidney retains sodium and water. The kidney excretes sodium and water. The kidney retains sodium and excretes water. The kidney retains water and excretes sodium.

The kidney excretes sodium and water.

A 77-year-old client presents to the local community center for a blood pressure (BP) screening; BP is recorded as 180/90 mm Hg. The client has a history of hypertension but currently is not taking the prescribed medications. Which question is most appropriate for the nurse to ask the client first? "Are you having trouble paying for your medications?" "Can you tell me the reasons you aren't taking your medications?" "What medications are you prescribed?" "Are you able to get to your pharmacy to pick up your medications?"

"Can you tell me the reasons you aren't taking your medications?" It is important for the nurse to first ascertain why the client is not taking prescribed medications. Adherence to the therapeutic program may be more difficult for older adults. The medication regimen can be difficult to remember, and the expense can be a challenge. Monotherapy (treatment with a single agent), if appropriate, may simplify the medication regimen and make it less expensive. The other questions are appropriate, but the priority is to determine why the medication regimen is not being followed.

Which finding indicates that hypertension is progressing to target organ damage? Retinal blood vessel damage Urine output of 60 mL over 2 hours Blood urea nitrogen concentration of 12 mg/dL Chest x-ray showing pneumonia

Retinal blood vessel damage

Nurses should implement measures to relieve emotional stress for clients with hypertension because the reduction of stress increases the production of neurotransmitters that constrict peripheral arterioles. increases the resistance that the heart must overcome to eject blood. increases blood volume and improves the potential for greater cardiac output. decreases the production of neurotransmitters that constrict peripheral arterioles.

decreases the production of neurotransmitters that constrict peripheral arterioles.

Papilledema is a fairly common symptom of elevated blood pressure. The best way to detect this condition is through: ophthalmic examination. using a sphygmomanometer. laboratory tests. an MRI.

ophthalmic examination. Papilledema is an edema of the optic nerves, and thus needs an ophthalmic examination for detection.

The nurse is explaining the DASH diet to a client diagnosed with hypertension. The client inquires about how many servings of fruit per day can be consumed on the diet. What is the nurse's best response? 4 or 5 servings per day 7 or 8 servings per day 2 or 3 servings per day 2 or fewer servings per day

4 or 5 servings per day

Which diagnostic method is recommended to determine whether left ventricular hypertrophy has occurred? Echocardiography Electrocardiography Blood chemistry Blood urea nitrogen

Echocardiography

When measuring the blood pressure in each arm of a healthy adult client, the nurse recognizes that which statement is true? Pressures must be equal in both arms. Pressures may vary 10 mm Hg or more between arms. Pressures should not differ more than 5 mm Hg between arms. Pressures may vary, with the higher pressure found in the left arm.

Pressures should not differ more than 5 mm Hg between arms. Normally, in the absence of any disease of the vasculature, arm pressures differ by no more than 5 mm Hg. The pressures in each arm do not have to be equal to be considered normal. Pressures that vary more than 10 mm Hg between arms are an abnormal finding. The left arm pressure is not anticipated to be higher than the right as a normal anatomic variant.

Primary or essential hypertension accounts for about 95% of all hypertension diagnoses with an unknown etiology. Secondary hypertension accompanies specific conditions that create hypertension as a result of tissue damage. Which condition contributes to secondary hypertension? arterial vasoconstriction hepatic function calcium deficit acid-base imbalance

arterial vasoconstriction

A 66-year-old client presents to the emergency department reporting severe headache and mild nausea for the past 6 hours. Upon assessment, the client's BP is 210/120 mm Hg. The client has a history of hypertension and takes 1.0 mg clonidine twice daily. Which question is most important for the nurse to ask the client next? "Have you taken your prescribed clonidine today?" "Do you have a dry mouth or nasal congestion?" "Are you having chest pain or shortness of breath?" "Did you take any medication for your headache?"

"Have you taken your prescribed clonidine today?"

When administering benazepril with spironolactone, the nurse should be aware that which electrolyte imbalance may occur? Hyperkalemia Hypokalemia Hypercalcemia Hypocalcemia

Hyperkalemia

When measuring blood pressure in each arm of a healthy adult, the nurse recognizes that the pressures must be equal in both arms. may vary 10 mm Hg or more between arms. differ no more than 5 mm Hg between arms. may vary, with the higher pressure found in the left arm.

differ no more than 5 mm Hg between arms. Normally, in the absence of disease of the vasculature, arm pressures differ by no more than 5 mm Hg. The pressures in each arm do not have to be equal to be considered normal. Pressures that vary more than 10 mm Hg between arms are an abnormal finding. The left arm pressure is not anticipated to be higher than the right as a normal anatomical variant.

A client with high blood pressure is receiving an antihypertensive drug. When developing a client teaching plan to minimize orthostatic hypotension, which instruction should the nurse include? "Avoid drinking alcohol and straining at stool, and eat a low-protein snack at night." "Wear elastic stockings, change positions quickly, and hold onto a stationary object when rising." "Flex your calf muscles, avoid alcohol, and change positions slowly." "Rest between demanding activities, eat plenty of fruits and vegetables, and drink 6 to 8 cups of fluid daily."

"Flex your calf muscles, avoid alcohol, and change positions slowly." Measures that minimize orthostatic hypotension include flexing the calf muscles to boost blood return to the heart, avoiding alcohol and straining at stool, changing positions slowly, eating a high-protein snack at night, wearing elastic stockings, and holding onto a stationary object when rising. Although the client should rest between demanding activities and consume plenty of fluids and fiber (contained in fruits and vegetables) to maintain a balanced diet, these measures don't directly relieve orthostatic hypotension.

The nurse is caring for an older adult client who has come to the clinic for a yearly physical. When assessing the client, the nurse notes the blood pressure (BP) is 140/93. The nurse knows that in older clients what happens that may elevate the systolic BP? Loss of arterial elasticity Decrease in blood volume Increase in calcium intake Decrease in cardiac output

Loss of arterial elasticity In older clients, systolic BP may be elevated because of loss of arterial elasticity (arteriosclerosis). Systolic BP would not become elevated by a decrease in blood volume, an increase in calcium intake, or a decrease in cardiac output.

Which client statement indicates a good understanding of the nutritional modifications needed to manage hypertension? "A glass of red wine each day will lower my blood pressure." "I should eliminate caffeine from my diet to lower my blood pressure." "If I include less fat in my diet, I'll lower my blood pressure." "Limiting my salt intake to 2 grams per day will improve my blood pressure."

"Limiting my salt intake to 2 grams per day will improve my blood pressure." To lower blood pressure, a client should limit daily salt intake to 2 g or less. Alcohol intake is associated with a higher incidence of hypertension, poor compliance with treatment, and refractory hypertension. Moderate caffeine and fat intake don't significantly affect blood pressure

Which condition(s) indicates target organ damage from untreated/undertreated hypertension? Select all that apply. Heart failure Retinal damage Diabetes Hyperlipidemia Stroke

Heart failure Retinal damage Stroke Target organs include the heart, kidney, brain, and eyes. Hyperlipidemia and diabetes are risk factors for development of hypertension.

The nurse is performing an assessment on a patient to determine the effects of hypertension on the heart and blood vessels. What specific assessment data will assist in determining this complication? (Select all that apply.) Heart rate Respiratory rate Heart rhythm Character of apical and peripheral pulses Lung sounds

Heart rate Heart rhythm Character of apical and peripheral pulses

The nurse is performing an assessment on a patient to determine the effects of hypertension on the heart and blood vessels. What specific assessment data will assist in determining this complication? (Select all that apply.) Heart rate Respiratory rate Heart rhythm Character of apical and peripheral pulses Lung sounds

Heart rhythm Character of apical and peripheral pulses Heart rate During the physical examination, the nurse must also pay specific attention to the rate, rhythm, and character of the apical and peripheral pulses to detect the effects of hypertension on the heart and blood vessels.

A client is brought to the emergency department with reports of a bad headache and an increase in blood pressure. The blood pressure reading obtained by the nurse is 260/180 mm Hg. What is the therapeutic goal for reduction of the mean blood pressure? Reduce the blood pressure by 20% to 25% within the first hour of treatment. Reduce the blood pressure to about 140/80 mm Hg. Rapidly reduce the blood pressure so the client will not suffer a stroke. Reduce the blood pressure by 50% within the first hour of treatment.

Reduce the blood pressure by 20% to 25% within the first hour of treatment. A hypertensive emergency is a situation in which blood pressures are extremely elevated and must be lowered immediately (not necessarily to less than 140/90 mm Hg) to halt or prevent damage to the target organs (Chobanian et al., 2003; Rodriguez et al., 2010). Hypertensive emergencies are acute, life-threatening blood pressure elevations that require prompt treatment in an intensive care setting because of the serious target organ damage that may occur. The therapeutic goals are reduction of the mean blood pressure by 20% to 25% within the first hour of treatment, a further reduction to a goal pressure of about 160/100 mm Hg over a period of up to 6 hours, and then a more gradual reduction in pressure over a period of days.

A client in a clinic setting has just been diagnosed with hypertension. When the client asks what the end goal is for treatment, what is the nurse's best response? To prevent complications/death by achieving and maintaining a blood pressure of 140/90 or less To prevent complications/death by achieving and maintaining a blood pressure of 145/95 or less To stop smoking and increase physical activity to 30 minutes/day most days of the week To lose weight, achieve a body mass index of 24 or less, and to eat a diet rich in fruits and vegetables

To prevent complications/death by achieving and maintaining a blood pressure of 140/90 or less

A nurse is teaching a client who is newly diagnosed with hypertension and diabetes mellitus. What will the nurse specify about this client's target blood pressure? 145/95 or lower 130/80 or lower 150/95 or lower 125/85 or lower

130/80 or lower The Seventh Report of the Joint National Committee on Prevention, Detection, Evaluation, and Treatment of High Blood Pressure (JNC 7) specifies a lower goal pressure of 130/80 for people with diabetes mellitus.

The nurse is assessing a patient with severe hypertension. When performing a focused assessment of the eyes, what does the nurse understand may be observed related to the hypertension? Cataracts Glaucoma Retinal detachment Papilledema

Papilledema Physical examination may reveal no abnormalities other than elevated blood pressure. Occasionally, retinal changes such as hemorrhages, exudates (fluid accumulation), arteriolar narrowing, and cotton-wool spots (small infarctions) occur. In severe hypertension, papilledema (swelling of the optic disc) may be seen.

Which statements are true when the nurse is measuring blood pressure (BP)? Select all that apply. Using a BP cuff that is too small will give a higher BP measurement. The client's arm should be positioned at the level of the heart. Using a BP cuff that is too large will give a higher BP measurement. The client's BP should be measured 1 hour before consuming alcohol. The client should sit quietly while BP is being measured.

The client should sit quietly while BP is being measured. The client's arm should be positioned at the level of the heart. Using a BP cuff that is too small will give a higher BP measurement. These statements are all true when measuring a BP. When using a BP cuff that is too large, the reading will be lower than the actual BP. The client should avoid smoking cigarettes or drinking caffeine for 30 minutes before BP is measured.

When measuring blood pressure in each arm of a healthy adult, the nurse recognizes that the pressures must be equal in both arms. may vary 10 mm Hg or more between arms. differ no more than 5 mm Hg between arms. may vary, with the higher pressure found in the left arm.

differ no more than 5 mm Hg between arms. Normally, in the absence of disease of the vasculature, arm pressures differ by no more than 5 mm Hg. The pressures in each arm do not have to be equal to be considered normal. Pressures that vary more than 10 mm Hg between arms are an abnormal finding. The left arm pressure is not anticipated to be higher than the right as a normal anatomical variant.

What risk factors would cause the nurse to become concerned that the client may have atherosclerotic heart disease? Select all that apply. hypertension diabetes obesity lowered triglyceride levels active lifestyle family history of early cardiovascular events

obesity diabetes family history of early cardiovascular events hypertension Risk factors for atherosclerotic heart disease include hypertension, dyslipidemia (including high total, low-density lipoprotein [LDL], and triglyceride levels as well as low high-density lipoprotein [HDL] levels), obesity, diabetes, a family history of early cardiovascular events, metabolic syndrome, a sedentary lifestyle, and obstructive sleep apnea.

A nurse is educating a client about monitoring blood pressure readings at home. What will the nurse be sure to emphasize? "Avoid smoking cigarettes for 8 hours prior to taking blood pressure." "Sit quietly for 5 minutes prior to taking blood pressure." "Sit with legs crossed when taking your blood pressure." "Be sure the forearm is well supported above heart level while taking blood pressure."

"Sit quietly for 5 minutes prior to taking blood pressure." Instructions for the client regarding measuring the blood pressure at home include the following: (1) Avoid smoking cigarettes or drinking caffeine for 30 minutes before measuring blood pressure. (2) Sit quietly for 5 minutes before the measurement. (3) Have the forearm supported at heart level, with both feet on the ground during the measurement of the blood pressure.

Which describes a situation in which blood pressure is severely elevated and there is evidence of actual or probable target organ damage? Hypertensive emergency Hypertensive urgency Primary hypertension Secondary hypertension

Hypertensive emergency A hypertensive emergency is a situation in which blood pressure is severely elevated and there is evidence of actual or probable target organ damage. Hypertensive urgency is a situation in which blood pressure is severely elevated but there is no evidence of actual or probable target organ damage. Secondary hypertension is high blood pressure from an identified cause, such as renal disease. Primary hypertension denotes high blood pressure from an unidentified source.

A client is being seen at the clinic on a monthly basis for assessment of blood pressure. The client has been checking blood pressure at home as well and has reported a systolic pressure of 158 and a diastolic pressure of 64. What does the nurse suspect this client is experiencing? Isolated systolic hypertension Secondary hypertension Primary hypertension Hypertensive urgency

Isolated systolic hypertension

A 35-year-old client has been diagnosed with hypertension. The client is a stock broker, smokes daily, and has diabetes. During a follow-up appointment, the client states that regular visits to the doctor just to check blood pressure (BP) are cumbersome and time consuming. As the nurse, which aspect of client teaching would you recommend? Purchasing a self-monitoring BP cuff Discussing methods for stress reduction Advising smoking cessation Administering glycemic control

Purchasing a self-monitoring BP cuff

A client is taking 50 mg of oral spironolactone twice a day to assist with blood pressure control. While the nurse is performing the morning assessment, the client reports nausea, general muscle cramps, and weakness. The ECG strip shows a peaked, narrow T-wave, which is a change. What electrolyte imbalance does the nurse suspect? Hyperkalemia Hypokalemia Hypernatremia Hyponatremia

Hyperkalemia

A client is taking 50 mg of oral spironolactone twice a day to assist with blood pressure control. While the nurse is performing the morning assessment, the client reports nausea, general muscle cramps, and weakness. The ECG strip shows a peaked, narrow T-wave, which is a change. What electrolyte imbalance does the nurse suspect? Hyperkalemia Hypokalemia Hypernatremia Hyponatremia

Hyperkalemia Potassium-sparing diuretics, such as spironolactone, can cause hyperkalemia, especially if given with an ACE inhibitor. Signs of hyperkalemia are nausea, diarrhea, abdominal cramps, and peaked narrow T-waves.

The nurse is instructing a client who is newly prescribed an antihypertensive medication. Which nursing instruction is emphasized to maintain client safety? Use a pillbox to store daily medication. Sit on the edge of the chair and rise slowly. Do not operate a motor vehicle. Take the medication at the same time daily.

Sit on the edge of the chair and rise slowly. The nursing instruction emphasized to maintain client safety is to sit on the edge of the chair before rising slowly. By doing so, the client reduces the possibility of falls related to postural hypotension. Using a pillbox to store medications and taking the medication at the same time daily is good medication management instruction. There is no reason when taking antihypertensive medications to restrict driving.

Which statements are true when the nurse is measuring blood pressure (BP)? Select all that apply. Using a BP cuff that is too small will give a higher BP measurement. The client's arm should be positioned at the level of the heart. Using a BP cuff that is too large will give a higher BP measurement. The client's BP should be measured 1 hour before consuming alcohol. The client should sit quietly while BP is being measured.

Using a BP cuff that is too small will give a higher BP measurement. The client's arm should be positioned at the level of the heart. The client should sit quietly while BP is being measured.