Author Question: As people age, their systolic blood pressure tends to rise. What is the primary cause of this ... (Read 49 times)

faduma · **on:** Jul 23, 2018

As people age, their systolic blood pressure tends to rise. What is the primary cause of this increase in the systolic measurement?

a. Increased compliance in the large arteries
b. Progressive replacement of elastin in the walls of the large arteries
c. Increased sympathetic nervous system activity, which leads to increased vasoconstriction
d. Decreased compliance in the large arteries

Question 2

The nurse is caring for a pregnant woman who has developed high blood pressure in her first trimester. What drug should the nurse prepare for immediate administration?

a. Sodium nitroprusside
b. Magnesium sulfate
c. Angiotensin-converting enzyme (ACE) inhibitor
d. Hydralazine (Apresoline)

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

Answer to Question 1

ANS: D
With aging, compliance decreases and stiffness increases in the large arteries.
As people age, compliance in the large arteries decreases rather than increases.
With aging, elastin in the walls of the large arteries is progressively replaced with collagen; however, this is not the primary cause of the increase in the systolic measurement.
Sympathetic nervous system activity does not increase in older individuals.

Answer to Question 2

ANS: D
The drug of choice for lowering blood pressure in a woman with severe pre-eclampsia is hydralazine.
Sodium nitroprusside is not indicated.
Magnesium sulfate is given as prophylaxis against seizures, which the patient does not exhibit.
ACE inhibitors are contraindicated because of their potential for fetal harm.