Blood pressure, or commonly referred as hypertension, is a condition millions of people experience, and might have influential control over a patient’s health. Being a nurse puts you at prime importance to make a difference in management and at minimizing complications of this condition. This article will walk you through the construction of a working nursing care plan for hypertension. It covers diagnosis of the condition, setting real and attainable goals, and application of interventions that almost always work. This guide is for when you need to refine your approach to care for hypertension.
Hypertension: What is it?
Hypertension, also called high blood pressure, it’s a condition where the blood struggles too hard on the walls of the artery. This could result in difficulties with time, just as water pressure can ruin a pipe. The readings given by blood pressure have two numbers; systolic and diastolic pressures. 120/80 mmHg is considered to be normal blood pressure. A person is said to have hypertension if his or her measurements are above 130/80 mmHg at all times.
Primary hypertension usually appears slowly without any obvious reason while secondary type is associated with other health problems such as hormonal imbalances and kidney malfunctions. Such factors like lack of exercise, weight gain, smoking, eating foods rich in salt, anxiety or stress and positive family history increase the chances of getting it. High BP often has no symptoms until it becomes very worse and therefore regular BP checks are important for healthy living.
Reasons for Hypertensive Emergency Situations
- Chronic blood pressure:People with constant high blood pressure.Those who do not take their medicine on time are at risk.
- Certain medications: Some drugs can cause a sudden rise in blood pressure resulting in emergencies occurring.
- Severe spikes: Those with long-term high blood pressure might not see problems until their blood pressure becomes dangerously high.
Risk factors
- High blood pressure is a condition of about 30% of US adults and one of the most common chronic diseases in the United States.
- In a small percent, emergencies can arise.
- The emergent conditions may range from pulmonary edema, cardiac conditions, and cerebral vascular complications.
Nursing Care Plan for Hypertension
Effective management of hypertension requires some kind of overall plan.
- Assess the Patient:: First, take the resting and exertional blood pressure of the patient. Check their past medical history, medications taken, and underlying health issues that may have a bearing on the blood pressure.
- clear objectives: that would eventually help in health improvement by making sure that blood pressure remains under control and most importantly, manage the risk factor.
- Interventions:Help patients to manage their stress, with the help of medication plans, and do the DASH diet.
- Monitoring: Check blood pressure on a regular basis and make changes in medications as per their need.
For serious cases
In more serious conditions, admit the patient to the hospital for care, vasodilators, or calcium channel blockers, monitor for heart failure, blood flow problems, and development of complications like raised intracranial pressure or pulmonary oedema.
Nursing Interventions for Hypertension Care Plan
To control hypertension, you have to check the blood pressure daily and adjust medications as per their need .Make sure that the patient has knowledge about taking their medication and monitoring side effects. Advise your patient to take a healthier diet, and do regular exercise, and do stress reduction techniques like breathing exercises and meditation. Tell patients about hypertension and its risks, and provide them regular follow up. Show and guide them how to use blood pressure monitors at home and encourage your patient to check your blood pressure frequently.
Help your patient with the management of risk factors
Diabetes, smoking, lack of exercise, and advise them to consume less amount of salt in your daily life and do a DASH diet. Help your patient to take their medication schedule and if it is needed, refer them to a specialist. This might help in keeping the blood pressure under control and if you live a healthier life you will not face any complications.
Evaluation
The last process of the care plan for hypertension is evaluation. You will be required to see your doctor on a regular basis so that the patient’s blood pressure and general health could be monitored. If the set targets are not being reached, then a change in the care plan is required. Preserving the blood pressure in the long run also involves teaching and supporting the patient. Regular visits will ensure the continuing updating of the plan for anything to be salvaged on track.
Bottom line
If you want to manage high blood pressure, follow a simple care plan. Firstly, check the patient’s blood pressure and go through their medical history and drugs currently taken. Have specific goals of lowering their blood pressure level as well as promoting healthy lifestyles. Emphasize on regular BP checks, medication compliance, diet and stress counselling. For severe cases, hospitalization or specialist referral may be appropriate. Follow up on your patients’ progress hence adjusting your care plans accordingly for controllable hypertension that leads to better health.
FAQs
- Check on the Patient: Examine their health and history.
- Find Problems: Establishment of what kind of health problems they have.
- Goals: Establish what you intend to improve.
- Plan Actions: Write down whatever steps will be taken to attain these goals.
- Review progress: From time to time check whether the plan is on track, and make any necessary changes.
Example of nursing care plan items includes medications to be given, what the patient likes or needs, and any possible risks. This facilitates the process of care, especially in the home.
