29 Questions
What should a patient avoid doing 30 minutes before having their blood pressure measured?
Smoking cigarettes or drinking caffeine
What is the recommended position for a patient's arm during blood pressure measurement?
Forearm supported at heart level on a firm surface
What is the minimum percentage of the arm circumference that the rubber bladder width of the blood pressure cuff should cover?
40%
How many readings should be taken to assess a patient's blood pressure?
At least two
What is recommended for patients who measure their blood pressure at home?
Keep a written record of readings
What is the primary mechanism by which medications used to treat hypertension work?
Decrease peripheral resistance, blood volume, or myocardial contraction
What is the definition of hypertension?
A systolic blood pressure greater than 140 mm Hg and a diastolic pressure greater than 90 mm Hg
Why is hypertension sometimes referred to as 'the silent killer'?
Because people who have it are often symptom-free
What is the classification of hypertension when the reason for the elevation cannot be identified?
Primary hypertension
What must occur for hypertension to develop?
A change in one or more factors affecting peripheral resistance and cardiac output
Why is it important to monitor blood pressure at regular intervals?
Because hypertension is a lifelong condition
What is the main difference between hypertensive urgency and hypertensive emergency?
The presence of organ damage
What is the typical blood pressure reading associated with hypertensive urgency?
180/110 or higher
What is hypertension associated with?
Dyslipidemia and diabetes mellitus
Why do patients with poorly controlled hypertension or those who have abruptly discontinued their medications require nursing intervention?
They are at risk for hypertensive crises
What is the purpose of urinalysis in the assessment and diagnostic evaluation of hypertension?
To assess kidney function
What is one way that nurses use blood pressure?
To monitor a patient's clinical status
What is echocardiography used for in the assessment and diagnostic evaluation of hypertension?
To assess heart function
What does elevated blood pressure indicate?
An excessive dose of vasoconstrictive medication
What is the typical setting for reducing blood pressure in a hypertensive emergency?
Intensive care unit
What is a consequence of prolonged, uncontrolled hypertension?
Myocardial infarction
As a risk factor, what does hypertension contribute to?
The rate at which atherosclerotic plaque accumulates within arterial walls
What is hypertension as a disease a major contributor to?
Death from cardiac, renal, and peripheral vascular disease
What is the term for the enlargement of the left ventricle of the heart?
Left ventricular hypertrophy
Which of the following is NOT a predisposing factor for hypertension?
High fruit consumption
What is a common clinical manifestation of severe hypertension?
Papilledema
What is a result of structural and functional changes in the heart and blood vessels that occur with age?
Increased collagen deposits
What is a potential consequence of uncontrolled hypertension?
Renal failure
What is a retinal change that may be seen in patients with hypertension?
All of the above
Learn about the management of patients with hypertension, including its definition, causes, and treatment options. Understand how medications work to decrease peripheral resistance, blood volume, and myocardial contraction.
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