A patient in a hypertensive emergency is admitted to the ICU. The nurse anticipates that the patient will be treated with IV vasodilators, and that the primary goal of treatment is what?
A) Lower the BP to reduce onset of neurologic symptoms, such as headache and vision changes.
B) Decrease the BP to a normal level based on the patient's age.
C) Decrease the mean arterial pressure between 20% and 25% in the first hour of treatment.
D) Reduce the BP to ? 120/75 mm Hg as quickly as possible.
Ans: C
Feedback:
Initially, the treatment goal in hypertensive emergencies is to reduce the mean arterial pressure by 25% in the first hour of treatment, with further reduction over the next 24 hours. Lowering the BP too fast may cause hypotension in a patient whose body has adjusted to hypertension and could cause a stroke, MI, or visual changes. Neurologic symptoms should be addressed, but this is not the primary focus of treatment planning.
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