Hypertension
An 87-year-old patient is taking furosemide (Lasix) for elevated blood pressure. What should the nurse know that older patients are at risk for?
Hypokalemia
A nurse is caring for a patient who is taking antihypertensive therapy. The patient reports fatigue and has a pulse of 54 beats/min. Which medication administered is most likely the cause of these symptoms?
Diltiazem (Cardizem)
A patient with hypertension comes to the emergency department and is experiencing nausea and vomiting and is restless and confused. Vital signs are assessed at blood pressure, 220/130 mm Hg; pulse, 120 beats/min; and respirations, 32 breaths/min. What should the nurse conclude the patient is experiencing based on these assessments?
Hypertension crisis from the cessation of a drug
A nurse explains that the force against which the left ventricle must work to force the blood into the circulation is called
peripheral vascular resistance
What is the result of status asthmaticus that is not corrected?
Pneumothorax, severe hypoxemia, and respiratory arrest
A nurse is providing patient education regarding a low-sodium diet. In addition to the use of spices, what should the nurse recommend to help decrease sodium in the diet?
Garlic
What should a nurse include when developing a teaching plan for a patient with hypertension?
Encourage relaxation techniques
What should be the nursing priority when caring for a patient with a hypertensive crisis?
Monitoring for seizure activity
A nurse is caring for a patient with asthma and assesses signs and symptoms of inadequate oxygenation. Which intervention is the most appropriate?
Increase fluid intake
What should a nurse focus on when assessing for major sources of infection in a patient with COPD?
Stasis of respiratory secretions
Which lifestyle change has the greatest effect on reducing hypertension?
Weight reduction
A patient reports drowsiness after initiating atenolol (Tenormin) for the treatment of hypertension. What is the nurse’s best response when educating this patient about atenolol (Tenormin)?
Take the medication at bedtime
What are the advantages of hydrochlorothiazide (HydroDIURIL)? (Select all that apply.)
Is effective for African Americans
Consistently controls blood pressure
What is a characteristic of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease that places a patient at risk for poor nutrition?
Excessive respiratory effort
A young patient with acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS) reports debilitating night sweats. Why should the home health nurse suggest that the patient visit the clinic?
Tuberculosis (TB) screening
A nurse is educating a group of patients regarding Dietary Approaches to Stop Hypertension (DASH) diet. What recommendation should the nurse include as a source of protein and fat?
Whole grains
A patient taking methyldopa (Aldomet) for hypertension reports to the emergency department with a severe headache, blurred vision, and a blood pressure reading of 200/94 mm Hg. What should the nurse suspect is happening to this patient?
Abrupt cessation of medication
A nurse is providing care to a patient diagnosed with essential hypertension. What should the nurse know is included in a first-line therapeutic approach to lowering this patient’s blood pressure? (Select all that apply.)
Smoking cessation
Exercise programs
Weight loss
Decreased sodium intake
Which nursing intervention enhances the nutritional status of a patient with COPD?
Offer small, frequent meals
A nurse is caring for an 80-year-old patient with COPD and suspects right-sided heart failure after assessing and recording the data. What should decrease with right-sided heart failure?
Urine output
Which antihypertensive medication is contraindicated in patients who have chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) and asthma?
Propranolol (Inderal): beta-adrenergic receptor blocker
Which patient is at the highest risk for malignant hypertension?
Young African-American adults
Which conditions are considered potential causes of secondary hypertension? (Select all that apply.)
Renal disease
Coarctation of the aorta
Increased intracranial pressure (ICP)
Which walking program would be the most effective for the nurse to recommend as part of a progressive walking program for an obese patient with COPD?
10 to 15 minutes a day
A patient with TB asks the nurse how long he will have to take his TB medications. What is the nurse’s best response?
“Depending on the drug, it may be as long as 2 years.”