Exam 2: NR341 / NR 341 (Latest Update 2025 /
2026) Complex Adult Health | Questions &
Answers | Grade A | 100% Correct.
Chamberlain
1. Hypertensive crisis: Blood pressure way to high and out of control
- ways in regulating BP have been altered
2. Most common causes of hypertensive crisis: Noncompliance with high
BP management
- not taking meds, diet
3. Common findings with hypertensive crisis: Diastolic BP > 120 MAP >
150
Severe chest pain, headache with confusion and blurred vision
N/V
Severe anxiety
Shortness of breath
Seizures
,Altered mental status
High fatality (75% without treatment)
4. Most common early sign of hypertensive crisis: Headache
5. Problems associated with hypertensive crisis: Encephalopathy
Changes in inter cranial pressure
Cerebral blood flow is dilated
Cerebral edema increased
Pheochromocytoma
6. Hypertensive crisis treatment: Immediate reduction in BP no more than
25% in 2 hours
Goal: 160/100 within 2-6 hrs
Labetalol (Trendate) - drug of choice
> 40-80mg IVP q10min PRN (start 20mg IV x1)
> max dose 300mg total
> may also give as drip (2mg/min)
Nitroprusside (Nipride) drip - use when other meds fail
,> 3-4mcg/kg/min IV - start 0.25-0.3mcg/kg/min and titration until desired
dose
> max dose 10mcg/kg/min x10 min
> cyanate toxicity risk: fatigue, nausea, tinnitus, delirium
Nicardipine (Cardene) IV drip - CCB (ICU only)
> monitor for tachycardia, headache, flushing
> used in pts with ACS and HF
> doesnt cause cerebral vasospasms
Hydralazine IVP - Alpha blocker
> 10-20 mg IV push
Nitroglycerin IV drip or SL or topical
7. Why do we want to slowly decrease BP with hypertensive crisis?:
Going to fast will cause pressure shifts and will increase ICP
8. If a patient has high blood pressure and takes their regular blood
pressure meds but doesnt see any effect and still has a high blood
pressure they might be in...: Hypertensive crisis
9. Complications of hypertensive crisis: Nephrosclerosis
, Aortic dissection
Heart failure
Stroke
Peripheral vascular disease
Eyes and kidneys most often damaged
10. Two major inflammatory heart problems: Endocarditis- inside lining
that is damaged
Pericarditis- outside lining that is damaged
11. Pericarditis causes: acute or chronic condition in which the fibrous
membrane surrounding the heart becomes inflamed
> virus are most common causes
> after MI
> RF
> trauma
> uremia
> cancers
> idiopathic
2026) Complex Adult Health | Questions &
Answers | Grade A | 100% Correct.
Chamberlain
1. Hypertensive crisis: Blood pressure way to high and out of control
- ways in regulating BP have been altered
2. Most common causes of hypertensive crisis: Noncompliance with high
BP management
- not taking meds, diet
3. Common findings with hypertensive crisis: Diastolic BP > 120 MAP >
150
Severe chest pain, headache with confusion and blurred vision
N/V
Severe anxiety
Shortness of breath
Seizures
,Altered mental status
High fatality (75% without treatment)
4. Most common early sign of hypertensive crisis: Headache
5. Problems associated with hypertensive crisis: Encephalopathy
Changes in inter cranial pressure
Cerebral blood flow is dilated
Cerebral edema increased
Pheochromocytoma
6. Hypertensive crisis treatment: Immediate reduction in BP no more than
25% in 2 hours
Goal: 160/100 within 2-6 hrs
Labetalol (Trendate) - drug of choice
> 40-80mg IVP q10min PRN (start 20mg IV x1)
> max dose 300mg total
> may also give as drip (2mg/min)
Nitroprusside (Nipride) drip - use when other meds fail
,> 3-4mcg/kg/min IV - start 0.25-0.3mcg/kg/min and titration until desired
dose
> max dose 10mcg/kg/min x10 min
> cyanate toxicity risk: fatigue, nausea, tinnitus, delirium
Nicardipine (Cardene) IV drip - CCB (ICU only)
> monitor for tachycardia, headache, flushing
> used in pts with ACS and HF
> doesnt cause cerebral vasospasms
Hydralazine IVP - Alpha blocker
> 10-20 mg IV push
Nitroglycerin IV drip or SL or topical
7. Why do we want to slowly decrease BP with hypertensive crisis?:
Going to fast will cause pressure shifts and will increase ICP
8. If a patient has high blood pressure and takes their regular blood
pressure meds but doesnt see any effect and still has a high blood
pressure they might be in...: Hypertensive crisis
9. Complications of hypertensive crisis: Nephrosclerosis
, Aortic dissection
Heart failure
Stroke
Peripheral vascular disease
Eyes and kidneys most often damaged
10. Two major inflammatory heart problems: Endocarditis- inside lining
that is damaged
Pericarditis- outside lining that is damaged
11. Pericarditis causes: acute or chronic condition in which the fibrous
membrane surrounding the heart becomes inflamed
> virus are most common causes
> after MI
> RF
> trauma
> uremia
> cancers
> idiopathic
