Author Question: A patient with hypertension is admitted to the hospital. On admission the patient's heart rate is 72 ... (Read 87 times)

tfester · **on:** Jul 23, 2018

A patient with hypertension is admitted to the hospital. On admission the patient's heart rate is 72 beats per minute, and the blood pressure is 140/95 mm Hg.

After administering an antihypertensive medication, the nurse notes a heart rate of 85 beats per minute and a blood pressure of 130/80 mm Hg. What does the nurse expect to occur?
a. A decrease in the heart rate back to baseline in 1 to 2 days
b. An increase in the blood pressure within a few days
c. An increase in potassium retention in 1 to 2 days
d. A decrease in fluid retention within a week

Question 2

A nurse is caring for a patient who is receiving a drug that causes constriction of arterioles. The nurse expects to observe which effect from this drug?

a. Decreased stroke volume
b. Increased stroke volume
c. Decreased myocardial contractility
d. Increased myocardial contractility

dellikani2015 · **Reply #1 on:** Jul 23, 2018

Answer to Question 1

ANS: A
When blood pressure drops, the baroreceptors in the aortic arch and carotid sinus sense this and relay information to the vasoconstrictor center of the medulla; this causes constriction of arterioles and veins and increased sympathetic impulses to the heart, resulting in an increased heart rate. After 1 to 2 days, this system resets to the new pressure, and the heart rate returns to normal. The blood pressure will not increase when this system resets. Increased potassium retention will not occur. Over time, the body will retain more fluid to increase the blood pressure.

Answer to Question 2

ANS: A
Constriction of arterioles increases the load against which the heart must pump to eject blood. Increased constriction of arterioles would decrease, not increase, the stroke volume of the heart. Myocardial contractility is determined by the sympathetic nervous system, acting through beta1-adrenergic receptors in the myocardium.