308 Chapter 31: Managing Hypertension

A client is placed on a low-sodium (500 mg/day) diet. Which client statement indicates that the nurse's nutrition teaching plan has been effective?

"I chose broiled chicken with a baked potato for dinner"

Which client statement indicates a good understanding of the nutritional modifications needed to manage hypertension?

"Limiting my salt intake to 2 grams/day will improve my blood pressure"

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?

130/80 or lower

A client with hypertension visits the health clinic for a routine checkup. The nurse measures the client's blood pressure at 184/92 mm Hg and notes a 5-lb (2.3-kg) weight gain within the past month. Which nursing diagnosis reflects the most serious problem in managing a client with hypertension?

Noncompliance (nonadherence to therapeutic regimen)

The nurse is caring for a client who is prescribed medication for the treatment of hypertension. The nurse recognizes that which medication conserves potassium? a. spironolactone b. chlorthalidone c. chlorothiazide d. furosemide

a. spironolactone

The nurse is caring for an elderly client with a diagnosis of hypertension, who is taking several antihypertensive medications. Which safety precaution is the nurse most likely to reinforce?

change positions slowly related to possible hypotension

The nurse is administering medications on a medical-surgical unit. A client is ordered to receive 40 mg oral nadolol for the treatment of hypertension. Before administering the medication, the nurse should

check the client's heart rate

What risk factors would cause the nurse to become concerned that the client may have atherosclerotic heart disease?

diabetes, obesity, hypertension, family history of early cardiovascular events

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

The nurse encourages the client diagnosed with hypertension to rise slowly from a sitting or lying position because gradual changes in position

gradual position changes provide time for the heart to increase the rate of contraction to resupply oxygen to the brain

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

It is appropriate for the nurse to recommend smoking cessation for clients with hypertension because nicotine

nicotine increases the heart rate, constricts arterioles, and reduces the heart's ability to eject blood

A client is admitted to the intensive care unit (ICU) with a diagnosis of hypertension emergency/crisis. The client's blood pressure (BP) is 200/130 mm Hg. The nurse is preparing to administer IV nitroprusside. Upon assessment, which finding requires immediate intervention by the nurse?

numbness and weakness in the left arm

Papilledema is a fairly common symptom of elevated blood pressure. The best way to detect this condition is through:

ophthalmic examination

An older adult client has newly diagnosed stage 2 hypertension. The health care provider has prescribed Chlorothiazide and Benazepril. What will the nurse monitor this client for?

postural hypotension and resulting injury

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 20-25% within the first hour of treatment

Hypertension that can be attributed to an underlying cause is termed

secondary hypertension

A nurse is teaching a client with severe hypertension about the damage this condition can cause to the body. What system/organs will the nurse note are particularly targeted for damage due to severe hypertension?

sensory

The nurse is instructing a client who is newly prescribed an antihypertensive medication. Which nursing instruction is emphasized to maintain client safety?

sit on the edge of the chair and rise slowly

A nurse is providing education about hypertension to a community group. What are possible consequences of untreated hypertension?

stroke, coronary artery disease, myocardial infarction

The nurse is employed in a physician's office and is caring for a client present for an annual exam. A blood pressure of 124/84 mm Hg is documented. Following revised guidelines for identifying hypertension, which educational pamphlet is help?

stress reduction to lower prehypertensive state