BP Meds:
"Pills, Pills, Pills!"
"Pills, Pills, Pills!"
What is a common side effect of most blood pressure medications
Orthostatic HTN
What are some dietary considerations with HTN patient's?
Encourage low-sodium foods
Encourage Mediterranean, vegetarian, and/or DASH diet
eliminate processed foods
minimize high sugar, high fat foods
What are key differences between osteo and rheumatoid arthritis
*refer to comparison chart from class
When should BP meds be held?
BP <100/60, HR <60 bpm
When the BP reaches >180/>120 what does the patient have?
Hypertensive crisis
What should the nurse be monitoring with diuretic medications?
Creatinine, GFR, and BUN; potassium (K+) (know how the different diuretics affect K)
Urine output,
What diet should be promoted with osteoporosis
foods high in calcium, vitamin D supplements,
What are key findings for osteoporosis?
not usually diagnosed until patient has a fracture; porous bones, easy fractures (esp with larger bones), measurable height loss
Patient education for someone symptomatic of orthostatic hypotension
change positions slowly, do not get up alone, adhere to fall precautions
expected findings: dizziness, lightheadedness
What are the symptoms of hypertensive crisis?
BP > 180/120; blurred vision, chest pain, confusion, dyspnea, head ache, nausea, vomiting, nose bleeds, seizures
Common side effect of ACE inhibitors
It can cause a dry, hacking cough that can occur at any point during treatment
What are therapeutic lab values for potassium?
3.5-5 (*you will want to know these for all the labs on the exam worksheet)
What are late stage findings for osteoarthritis on the knees and fingers?
Bouchard's nodes
What are common fall risk precautions?
remove throw rugs, conserve activities with frequent rest periods in between, exercise regularly, wear good shoes, install handles around home, etc
What symptom indicates the patient's condition is worsening
think early symptoms of encephalopathy:
changes in LOC (confusion, drowsiness, etc.)
what are side effects of clonidine (Catapres)
decreased BP, Decreased HR, Decreased anxiety, sedation,
What types of food should be avoided with ACE inhibitors?
Foods high in potassium
What are factors that can affect and cause osteoporosis?
low calcium, decreased exercise (lack of weight baring, impact exercise in youth), low vitamin D, use of corticosteroids, high levels of estrogen, smoking, genetics
What are nursing considerations when taking a BP (that can lead to abnormal readings)
Cuff size, patient position, muscle rigidity/relaxation, tremors
What should the nurse monitor for with methotrexate?
symptoms of bone marrow suppression: WBC counts, other symptoms of infection (fever, chills, sore throat, etc)
Hepatotoxicity- swelling, yellow skin, bleeding, bruising
What is the action of calcium channel blockers?
What are nursing interventions for HTN
Lifestyle changes: increased exercise, diet changes, PT if applicable, patient education
Medication Therapy: administration, monitoring, patient education
How can patients prevent complications of joint deformities?
preventing skeletal traumas, using supportive devices such as splints and pillows to maintain alignment, avoid putting high pressure on joints
The nurse should monitor these with blood pressure medications
VS: BP, HR
Labs: Creatinine
Medications that are given during a hypertensive crisis
Captopril, IV Hyrdalazine