True or False: Most patients diagnosed with hypertension report a history of headaches.
False. Hypertension is called the 'silent killer'.
100
_____ hypertension is the term applied where no cause for hypertension can be identified. _____hypertension is the term applied when hypertension results from another known disorder.
Primary or essential; secondary
100
A nurse is teaching a newly diagnosed hypertensive client about sodium restrictions in the diet. What is the total mg sodium intake recommended for this this patient?
Less than or equal to 1500 mg/ day
100
Which of the following is a "normal" gerontologic change?
a. metabolism and excretion of drugs may be prolonged
b. increased adrenergic receptor sensitivity
c. decrease peripheral vascular resistance
d. development of dementia secondary to atherosclerosis
a.
100
This class of medications prescribed as treatment for hypertension act by reducing blood volume through excretion of water and electrolytes.
Diuretics
200
The nurse records a patient blood pressure of 140/92. The patient responds, "I've never had high blood pressure. Does this mean I will need to start taking medication?" What is the appropriate response?
Hypertension is diagnosed after several (at least two) correctly measured readings separated by a significant time interval. Persistent high readings may suggest the need for medication.
200
Fill in the blanks: (Same answer for both)
Elevation in blood pressure causes increased work load on the __________ ____________ by increasing the pressure (afterload) which the ________ ________ must pump against in order to send blood to the systemic circulation.
Left ventricle
200
Which of the following is known to have a high sodium content? (Select all that apply)
a. salt substitutes
b. bananas
c. cheese
d. soup/broth/bouillon
c & d
200
True or False: Patients with chronic hypertension can tolerate higher BP more than normotensive individuals.
True
200
This class of medications used to treat hypertension act by inhibiting the movement of calcium into vascular and smooth muscle.
Calcium channel blockers
300
The nurse observes the nursing assistant checking a patient's blood pressure using a cuff that is clearly too small. The nurse understands that this will cause the blood pressure measurement to read falsely __________.
High
300
The renin-angiotensin-aldosterone system plays a central role in blood pressure by increasing ________ and ______.
SVR or vessel constriction; sodium and fluid retention
300
When educating the client about physical activity changes that can help to lower/control blood pressure, the nurse tells the patient about AHA recommendations for 'moderate-intensity aerobic' activity each day. What is an example of this type of activity?
Walking fast, water aerobics, pushing lawn mower
(Raise heart rate and possibly break a sweat)
300
A patient reports that he stopped taking his blood pressure medication because he couldn't afford it. The nurse initiates a referral to the patient's ________ _______ or _________ _________ to assist the client in obtaining the medications after discharge from the hospital. (hint: both of these patient advocates are part of the interdisciplinary team)
Case Manager; social worker
300
The patient is prescribed a potassium-sparing diuretic so the nurse knows to monitor the patients labs for hyperkalemia. What are normal lab values for K+?
3.5-5.1 mEq/L
400
How do Hypertensive Emergency and Hypertensive Urgency differ?
With hypertensive Emergency, there is evidence of acute target organ damage; hospitalization for immediate treatment will be required. With hypertensive Urgency, there is no evidence of target organ damage; the patient may be treated as an outpatient.
400
Chronic hypertension can lead to ____________, a common cause of chronic kidney disease.
Nephrosclerosis
400
When teaching a hypertensive client about the effects of tobacco/smoking on the circulatory system, the nurse states, "Smoking causes your blood vessels to ___________".
Constrict
400
Your patient states that he has stopped his blood pressure medicine because he and his wife don't like the side effect. You try to investigate this further but he is noticeably vague and embarrassed. What is the potential side effect that he concerned about?
Sexual dysfunction
400
What classification of antihypertensive medications act through direct relaxation of vascular smooth muscle?
Direct Vasodilators
500
Name three possible complications of uncontrolled hypertension.
The difference between the systolic and diastolic pressure is called the _________________.
Pulse pressure
500
Stress stimulates what part of the autonomic nervous system?
Sympathetic nervous system
500
A patient admitted with hypertensive emergency begins to demonstrate confusion and vomiting. What 'worst possible complication' should the nurse be concerned about?
Hypertensive encephalopathy; cerebral edema
500
Which class of antihypertensive medications should be used with caution in clients that have a known history of asthma, because at higher doses they can cause bronchoconstriction?