An outpatient has been self-monitoring blood pressure readings since beginning reserpine (Serpasil) for hypertension 3 days ago. The patient reports, "My blood pressure has not changed since I started taking the medication."
Which of the following should the nurse advise the patient to do?
a. "Take an extra dose now and recheck your blood pressure tomorrow."
b. "Discontinue the medication and come to the office immediately."
c. "This is normal. The effects may not be evident for a full week."
d. "Another medication is needed with the treatment regimen."
ANS: C
Full antihypertensive responses can take a week or longer to develop.
Having the patient take an extra dose may result in severe hypotension.
The medication should not be discontinued abruptly because of the potential for rebound hypertension.
Another medication is not yet indicated, because the reserpine has not had sufficient time to produce its full effects.
You might also like to view...
The most important aspect of the neurologic examination is
a. medical history. c. level of consciousness. b. physical examination. d. pupillary responses.
Which action by the case manager would be required under the full immersion model?
a. The case manager would see only the pa-tients with the most extensive health care needs. b. The case manager would see all patients that come into the hospital. c. The case manager would only see the pa-tients with health insurance. d. The case manager would conduct a daily chart review of patients he or she is as-signed to.
The nurse doing vision screenings on 3- to 4-year-old children would refer a child to the ophthalmologist if both eyes score less than 15/30 or scores for the child's right and left eye differ by how many feet?
a. 1 c. 3 b. 2 d. 5
You have an important role in meeting standards and in the survey process. You must do which of the following?
a. Provide quality care. b. Interview patients and families. c. Contact the families to notify them of the survey. d. Avoid the site visitors.