Question

341 Unit 9 Assignment Worksheet

Winningham’s Critical Thinking Cases in Nursing: “Case Study 2”

Scenario:

M.P. is a 65-year-old African American woman who comes to your clinic for a follow-up visit. She was diagnosed with hypertension (HTN) 2 months ago and was given a prescription for a thiazide diuretic. However, she stopped taking it 2 weeks prior to this visit because “it made me dizzy and I kept getting up during the night to empty my bladder.”

During today's clinic visit, she expresses fear because her mother died of a cerebrovascular accident (CVA, stroke) at her age, and M.P. is afraid she will suffer the same fate. She states, “I've never smoked and I don't drink, but I am so afraid of this high blood pressure.” You review the data on her past clinic visits.

Family History

Mother, died at age 65 years of CVA

Father, died at age 67 years of myocardial infarction (MI)

Sister, alive and well, age 62 years

Brother, alive, age 70 years, has coronary artery disease, HTN, type II diabetes mellitus (DM)

Patient Past History

Married for 45 years, two children, alive and well, six grandchildren

Cholecystectomy, age 42 years

Hysterectomy, age 48 years

Blood Pressure Assessments

January 2: 150/92

January 31: 156/94 (Given prescription for hydrochlorothiazide [HCTZ] 25 mg PO every morning)

February 28: 140/90

Directions:

Answer the following questions and statements.

Each question is assigned a point value.

Submit the completed worksheet to the Dropbox no later than Day 7 of Unit 9.

Your instructor will post the grade for this Assignment in the Gradebook no later than Day 7 of Unit 10.

According to the most recent Joint National Committee on Prevention, Detection, Evaluation, and Treatment of High Blood Pressure, M.P.'s blood pressure is included in which classification? (4 points)

What could M.P. be doing that is causing her nocturia? (5 points)

Scenario progresses:

During today's visit, M.P.'s assessment findings included:

BP: 162/102;

P: 78;

R: 16;

T: 98.2 ° F (36.8° C);

fasting lipids were within normal limits;

height 5 ft., 4 in.;

weight 110 lbs; and

she states that she tries to go on walks but does not like to walk alone so has done so only occasionally.

What risk factors does M.P. have that increase her risk for cardiovascular disease?
(5 points)

Scenario progresses:

Because M.P.'s BP continues to be high, the internist decides to put her on another drug and recommends that she try again with the HCTZ (hydrochlorothiazide).

According to national guidelines, what drug category or categories are recommended for
M.P. at this time, and why? (4 points)

M.P. goes on to ask whether there is anything else she should do to help with her HTN. She asks, “Do I need to lose weight?” Look up her height and weight for her age on a body mass index chart. Is she considered overweight? How would you respond? (5 points)

What nonpharmacologic lifestyle alteration measures might help someone like M.P. control her BP? (List two examples and explain.) (4 points)

Scenario progresses:

The internist decreases M.P.'s HCTZ dosage to 12.5 mg PO daily and adds a prescription for benazepril (Lotensin) 5 mg daily. M.P. is instructed to return to the clinic in 1 week to have her blood work checked. She is also instructed to monitor her BP at least twice a week and return for a medication management appointment in 1 month with her list of BP readings.

Why did the internist decrease the dose of the HCTZ? (5 points)

You provide M.P. with education about the common side effects of benazepril, which can include which conditions? (Select all that apply.) (5 points)

Headache

Cough

Shortness of breath

Constipation

Dizziness        

It is sometimes difficult to remember whether you have taken your medication. What techniques might you teach M.P. to help her remember to take her medication each day? (Name at least two.) (4 points)

   

After the teaching session, which statement by M.P. indicates a need for further instructions? (4 points)

“I need to rise up slowly when I get out of bed or out of a chair before standing up.”

“I will leave the salt shaker off the table and not salt my food when I cook.”   

“It's okay to skip a few doses if I am feeling bad as long as it's just for a few days.”    

“I will call if I feel very dizzy, weak, or short of breath while on this medicine.”         

Scenario progresses:

M.P. returns in one month for her medication management appointment. She tells you she is feeling fine and does not have any side effects from her new medication. Her BP, checked twice a week at the senior center, ranges from 132 to 136/78 to 82 mm Hg.

When someone is taking a Thiazide diuretic and an Angiotensin Converting Enzyme (ACE) inhibitor, such as benazepril, what laboratory tests would you expect to be monitored? (5 points)

Laboratory Test Results (Fasting):

Potassium 3.6 mEq/L

Sodium 138 mEq/L

Chloride 100 mEq/L

CO₂ 28 mEq/L

Glucose 112 mEq/L

Creatinine 0.7 mg/dL

BUN 18 mg/dL

Magnesium 1.9 mEq/L

What lab results, if any, are of concern at this time? (5 points)

    

You take M.P.'s BP and get 134/82 mm Hg. She asks whether this BP reading is okay. On what do you base your response? (4 points)

List at least three important ways you might help her maintain her success. (6 points)

Scenario progresses:

M.P. comes in for a routine follow-up visit 3 months later. She continues to do well on her daily BP drug regimen, with average BP readings of 130/78 mm Hg. She participates in a senior citizens group-walking program at the local mall. She admits she has not done as well with decreasing her salt intake but that she is trying. She tells you she was recently at a luncheon with her garden club and that most of those women take different BP pills than she does. She asks why their pills are different shapes and colors.

How can you explain the difference to M.P.? (5 points)

Answer 1

Scenario I:

1. According to new Joint National Committee 7 hypertension guidelines, patient comes under hypertension, stage 1.

New Joint National Committee 7 hypertension guidelines:

CATEGORY	SYSTOLIC BP mmHg	DIASTOLIC BP mmHg
Normal	<120	<80
Prehypertension	120-139	80-89
Hypertension, stage 1	140-159	90-99
Hypertension, stage 2	>160	>100

2. M.P. was prescribed Thiazide diuretics for hypertension. Thiazide diuretics causes increased frequency of urination. Because of frequent urination M.P. had to get up from bed multiple times at bedtime which caused nocturia.

Scenario II:

The risk factors that M.P. has for cardiovascular disease are:

1. Age: 65 years
2. Family history: Father died at age 67 years of myocardial infarction (MI),

         Mother died at age 65 years of CVA and

          Brother aged 70 years has coronary artery disease, HTN, type II diabetes mellitus (DM).

         3. She has hypertension

          4. Less activity