The patient has been admitted for hypertension. His blood pressure is normally in the 160/90 range. He has been on bed rest for the past few days, and the doctor has started him on a new blood pressure medication
The nurse is assisting the patient to move from the bed to the chair for breakfast, but when the patient tries to sit up on the side of the bed, he complains of being dizzy and nauseous. The nurse lays the patient down and takes his vital signs. His pulse is 124 . His blood pressure is 130/80 . This blood pressure is indicative of what? a. A normal blood pressure for this patient
b. Orthostatic hypotension
c. Orthostatic hypertension
d. Effective baroreceptor function
B
Orthostatic hypotension is a drop in blood pressure that occurs when the patient changes from a horizontal to a vertical position. It traditionally is defined as a drop in systolic or diastolic blood pressure of 20 or 10 mm Hg, respectively. Those at higher risk are immobilized patients, those undergoing prolonged bed rest, the older adult patient, those receiving antihypertensive medications, and those with chronic illness, such as diabetes mellitus or cardiovascular disease. Signs and symptoms of orthostatic hypotension include dizziness, light-headedness, nausea, tachycardia, pallor, and even fainting. Orthostatic hypertension would be an increase in blood pressure. Physiological changes associated with aging and prolonged bed rest may reduce the effectiveness of the baroreceptors. In these patients, moving to the dangling position may cause a gravity-induced drop in blood pressure; thus, it is recommended to raise the head of the bed and allow a few minutes before dangling.
You might also like to view...
Sally, aged 25, presents with impetigo that has been diagnosed as infected with staphylococcus. The clinical presentation is pruritic tender, red vesicles surrounded by erythema with a rash that is ulcerating. She has not been adequately treated recently
Which type of impetigo is this? a. Bullous impetigo b. Staphylococcal scalded skin syndrome (SSSS) c. Nonbullous impetigo d. Ecthyma
A client with co-occurring disorders of schizophrenia and substance abuse is admitted for treatment. Which of the following would the nurse be least likely to identify as a priority for this client?
A) Assessment B) Group therapy C) Control of psychiatric symptoms D) Treatment of withdrawal symptoms
In statistical analysis of data, the alpha value is used to
a. describe the degree of generalizability of the findings. b. determine the risk of a Type I error. c. reveal whether the p value meets criteria for statistical significance. d. speculate on the frequency distribution of study values.
A nurse is providing patient education to a group of women regarding the variability of drug absorption. The nurse is evaluating learning in the group and asks how genetics may influence drug response
Which statement made by a member of the group would indicate a need for further teaching? a. Prior to 1997, drug companies did many fewer studies involving drugs and women. b. Certain opioid analgesics are much more effective in women than in men. c. Men and women respond differently to drugs, but little is known about how and why. d. Alcohol is metabolized quicker by women than by men.