A patient with a history of hypertension is admitted for a ...

[justinmsk]

A patient with a history of hypertension is admitted for a procedure. If the patient's arterial pressure decreases, which clinical manifestation would the nurse expect to see?
 
  a. Decreased heart rate
  b. Increased heart rate
  c. Decreased blood pressure
  d. Syncope

Question 2

A nurse is teaching a nursing student how blood can return to the heart when pressure in the venous capillary beds is very low. Which statement by the student indicates a need for further teaching?
 
  a. Constriction of small muscles in the venous wall increases venous pressure.
  b. Negative pressure in the left atrium draws blood toward the heart.
  c. Skeletal muscles relax to allow the free flow of blood.
  d. Venous valves help prevent the backflow of blood.

[kaylee05]

Answer to Question 1

ANS: B
When arterial pressure decreases, the vasoconstrictor center causes constriction of nearly all arterioles, leading to an increase in peripheral resistance, constriction of veins, increasing venous return, and subsequent acceleration of the heart rate. A decrease in arterial pressure would not cause a decrease in the heart rate or blood pressure, nor would it cause syncope.

Answer to Question 2

ANS: C
Skeletal muscle contraction, along with one-way venous valves, help create an auxiliary venous pump that helps drive blood toward the heart. Constriction of small muscles in venous walls helps increase venous pressure. Negative pressure in the left atrium sucks blood toward the heart. Valves, which are one-way, work with the contraction of skeletal muscles to create a venous pump.

[justinmsk]

TY

[kaylee05]

You're welcome