Question

Marcus is a 44-year-old African-American man who has been seen twice in a health care clinic for “blood pressure” problems. At the first visit, his blood pressure was 144/90 mm Hg; at the second visit, his blood pressure was 154/96 mm Hg. The provider is preparing to start antihypertensive medications.

1. Marcus tells the nurse, “I don’t feel any different with my blood pressure being higher, do I really need medication now?” How should the nurse respond?
2. Discuss nonpharmacologic treatment of hypertension and patient teaching needs.
3. What initial two drugs will be prescribed for him and what patient teaching should the nurse provide?

Answer 1

If the patient is expressing his thoughts for blood pressure , then the nurse should respect his words. HYPERTENSION is defined as raise in blood pressure more than the normal that is 150/90 mm of Hg. Normal blood pressure is 120/80 mm of Hg. If the blood pressure is raising gradually during each visit, nurse has to explain the importance of using Anti hypertensive drugs to maintain or reduce blood pressure levels to normal.

NON PHARMACOLOGIC TREATMENT AND PATIENT TEACHING NEEDS OF HYPERTENSION : It includes-

* Avoid intake of salty diet

* Reduce body weight (obesity)

* Avoid consumption of alcohol and smoking

* Encourage for healthy life style practices

* Motivate to do exercises

* Education on increase physical activity ( daily walking, meditation, yoga)

* Educate about complications of hypertension if not controlled by using health cards.

INITIAL DRUGS FOR HYPERTENSION :

1. Calcium channel blockers

2. Angiotensin receptor blockers.

The nurse should provide the patient teaching as to reduce sodium diet in food, drink as much of water in a day, change in life style modifications in a healthy way.