Hypertension

Question 1

Arterial Hypertension is defined as?
Elevation of Systolic BP?
Elevation of Diastolic BP?

Answer 1

Persistent
SBP > 140
DBP >90

Question 2

What is the “Silent Killer”? and Why?

Answer 2

Hypertension b/c it is often asymptomatic

Question 3

Primary Hypertension

Answer 3

90% of all cases
Onset ages 30-50
Causes are Unknown
Theories: weight, increased sodium intake, lifestyle, hereditary

Question 4

Secondary Hypertension

Answer 4

10% of all cases
Onset > 50 years old
Identifiable Causes: pregnancy, cheese, burns, parathyroidism, oral contraceptive, kidney disease, beer/wine

Question 5

Borderline Hypertension

Answer 5

Intermittent elevations of BP interspersed with NORMAL readings

Question 6

What evaluation approach would the physician use with Borderline Hypertension? what is a problem with this approach?

Answer 6

Doctor will use the “watch and see” approach, but the problem is people do not always show up for their follow up

Question 7

Malignant Hypertension

Answer 7

Marked elevation of diastolic > 140 associated with papilledema
**Sudden onset with rapid development of s/s
(Stroke level)

Question 8

Benign Hypertension

Answer 8

Uncomplicated hypertension of long duration

slow onset

Question 9

White Coat Hypertension

Answer 9

Patient has normal BP except when measurements are taken by a healthcare professional

Question 10

Nonmodifiable Risk Factors are?

Answer 10

Family history, age, gender, ethnicity

Question 11

Modifiable Risk Factors?

Answer 11

Stress, obesity, smoking, physical inactivity

Question 12

Does smoking cause hypertension?

Answer 12

Smoking does not directly cause it, but it is a contributor b/c it causes vasoconstriction and it increases the risk for heart disease

Question 13

Normal BP

Answer 13

120/80

Question 14

Prehypertensive

Answer 14

120-139 / 80-89

Question 15

Hypertensive Stage 1

Answer 15

140-159 / 90-99

Question 16

Hypertensive Stage 2

Answer 16

> 160 / >100

Question 17

Resistant Hypertension

Answer 17

patients conventional BP remains uncontrolled by 3 classes of antihypertensive agents, including a diuretic

Question 18

How is a medical diagnosis of hypertension made?

Answer 18

Based on 2+ accurate BP measurements taken during 2+ contacts with a healthcare professional

Question 19

Diagnosis consists of?

Answer 19

Patient history, physical assessment, diagnostic tests, BP measurements

Question 20

As a nurse what should you encourage?

Answer 20

Smoking cessation, exercise, weight loss, restriction of alcohol consumption (wine/beer)

Question 21

What is the number one drug of choice for hypertension? Why?

Answer 21

Diuretics, b/c they pull fluid off of the heart

-Decrease blood volume, renal blood flow, and cardiac output

Question 22

Vasodilators

Answer 22

open up blood vessels