NCLEX Review & Nursing School

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HYPERTENSION

Lets continue on with the second segment of this series and go over one of the most important topics that we need to know for the NCLEX which is HYPERTENSION

so lets begin by defining HYPERTENSION?  what is hypertension
– we can simply define it as A SIGNIFICANT AMOUNT OF PRESSURE WITHIN THE BLOOD VESSELS
– in which a blood pressure EXCEEDS 140 MMHG (millimeters of mercury) SYSTOLIC AND 90 MMHG DIASTOLIC,

* as a nurse we can educate and Remind the patient that lifestyle changes such as smoking cessation and proper diet is essential.

we also know that HYPERTENSION CAN LEAD TO

• – Aneurysms
• – Atherosclerosis
• – Heart Failure
• – Myocardial Infarction

Now our patient can have what we call a primary hypertension or the patient can also have
what we call a Secondary Hypertension which is usually caused by:
– Cushing’s Disease ( now remember that Cushing’s Disease is usually due to our patient having Too much Glucocorticoids)
– Brain Tumors
– Pheochromocytoma

Now lets go over the meat and potatoes of hypertension that we need to know for the NCLEX which
are the Pharmacology Drugs for Hypertension:

Lets first go over diuretics

DIURETICS

– Now basically diuretics Helps get rid of the sodium and fluid in the body.
– and it does this by interfering with the sodium absorption in the kidney.
–  as a result Increases the urine output.  Decreases the preload and afterload.

MAJOR SIDE EFFECTS:

• now as a side effect or opposite reaction from these effects from diuretics our patient is at risk for having
• – HYPONATREMIA
• electrolyte disturbance in which the sodium ion concentration in the plasma is lower than normal.
• yponatremia is generally defined as a serum level of less than 135 mEq/L and is considered severe when the serum level is below 125 mEq/L
• milliequivalents per liter.
• – ORTHOSTATIC HYPOTENSION
• – DEHYDRATION

TYPES OF DIURETICS

(Drugs that you will ENCOUNTER IN THE NCLEX EXAM)

1. POTTASIUM SPARING DIURETICS such as
   SPIRONOLACTONe (ALDACTONE)
2. LOOP DIURETICS such
   FUROSEMIDE (LASIX)
3. OSMOTIC DIURETICS
   and the most common drug is MANNITOL
4. Lastly we have THIAZADE DIURETICS
   HYDROCHLOROTHIAZIDE (HYDRODIURIL)

We need to inform our patient that thiazides can
CAUSES THE DEPLETION OF SODIUM AND WATER.
CAN INDUCE HYPERGLYCEMIA

Now lets go over another group of medications
♣ BETA (ADRENERGIC) BLOCKERS

As you have learned in Nursing School, beta adrenergic blockers are drugs that help lower blood pressure, pulse rate and cardiac output.  Beta Blockers are an important set of drugs to know for the NCLEX.  Sometimes,there are also other uses of beta blockers
such as treating migraine headaches, treating glaucoma and can also be used to treat myocardial infarctions.

So, since beta blockers is an essential part of the NCLEX we need to understand how this medication functions
Well,  beta blockers simply act by blocking the sympathetic vasomotor response eventually decreasing the Blood pressure in the body.  For the NCLEX, try to remember that beta blockers usually end with the syllable (olol).  Potential side effects of beta blocker that is necessary to know for the NCLEX would include: Orthostatic hypotension, bradycardia, nausea and vomiting, diarrhea and some of the symptoms may MASK hypoglycemia.

Remember the NURSING INTERVENTIONS FOR CLIENTS TAKING BETA BLOCKERS:

With all this in mind, we need to Make sure that we monitor the client’s blood pressure, heart rate and rhythm, before administering the beta blocker.  we should also Monitor the client for signs of edema and assess the lungs sounds for signs of rales and ronchi.  When patient are taking beta blockers, it is also very important to monitor the changes in lab values such as (protein, BUN and creatinine) which can indicate nephrotic syndrome.

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