Michael is a nursing student volunteering at a health screening ...

[leo leo]

Michael is a nursing student volunteering at a health screening for hypertension. Mrs. English, a 63-year-old woman who has gone to the clinic, has had her blood pressure taken.
 
  Her blood pressure reading was 140/90 mm Hg. Mrs. English is concerned with this reading. Which of the following statements should Michael make to provide Mrs. English with the most accurate information regarding hypertension?
  A. You should have your health care provider check your blood pressure again within 2 months.
  B. You have hypertension and should be seen by your health care provider immediately.
  C. Your blood pressure reading is normal for a person your age.
  D. If you don't seek treatment for your high blood pressure, you could have a stroke.

Question 2

A 23-year-old Jamaican mother took her 18-month-old child to a clinic because the child was lethargic. She was perplexed when the nurse asked how long the child had diarrhea, a term with which she was unfamiliar.
 
  Many Jamaicans refer to diarrhea as runny belly. The nurse could have prevented the confusion at the beginning of the interview. Which of the following is the most culturally sensitive statement to begin the interview? A. What do you call this problem?
  B. How long has your child had the runs?
  C. When did the loose stools begin?
  D. Has anyone else in your family had diarrhea?

[joshraies]

Answer to Question 1

A
One BP recording revealing a high SBP or DBP does not qualify as a diagnosis of hypertension. However, if a nurse assesses a high reading (e.g., 150/90 mm Hg), the patient should be encouraged to return for another checkup within 2 months.

Answer to Question 2

A
To start an assessment, Seidel and others offer useful questions to begin to explore a patient's illness or health care problem in context of the patient's culture: What do you call your problem?