NURS 251 Module 3 problem set

Question 1 Name the two factors that determine a person’s blood pressure. Answer: Cardiac Output and Systemic Vascular Resistance. Question 2 Define Cardiac Output. Answer: The amount of blood ejected from the heart’s left ventricle Question 3 List three contributing factors to a patient’s blood pressure. Any three of the following: Cardiac Factors- heart rate, contractibility, Circulating Volume- salt, aldosterone, hormones and peripheral sympathetic receptors Question 4 Define what is considered hypertension (classify: normotensive, prehypertensive, hypertension, stage 1 and stage 2) Your Answer: Classification Blood Pressure (mm/Hg) Normotensive 120/80 Elevated Blood Pressure 120-129/80 Hypertensive 130/80 Stage 1 130-139/80-89 Stage 2 140/90 Question 5 Describe how a clinician takes a patient’s blood pressure. Answer: The instrument used is called a sphygmomanometer. The health care provider uses a blood pressure cuff to cut off the blood flow from the brachial artery. As they release the pressure in the cuff, using a stethoscope, This study source was downloaded by from CourseH on :24:46 GMT -05:00 HEALTH CARE NURSING CARE 2023 they are listening for the first sound, called the Korotkoff sound, meaning there is no longer enough pressure to keep all the blood from flowing. This is the top number or systolic value of the patient’s blood pressure. The provider continues to let air out of the cuff and eventually the sounds disappear, representing that the brachial artery is now completely open. This is known as the diastolic value or bottom number in a patient’s blood pressure. Question 6 Differentiate essential hypertension and secondary hypertension. Answer: Secondary hypertension is when a patient’s elevated blood pressure is caused by another disease. Essential hypertension is also known as primary hypertension and is when the cause of the increased blood pressure is unknown. In contrast to, secondary hypertension which is when a patient’s elevated blood pressure is caused by another disease. Question 7 Briefly describe the mechanism of action of the four first line antihypertensives. Answer: Thiazide diuretics: Work by decreasing plasma and extracellular fluid volumes- this decreases the preload, which leads to a decrease in cardiac output and total peripheral resistance. ACE-Inhibitors: Prevent angiotensin I from being converted to angiotensin II. Angiotensin II is a potent vasoconstrictor. It also stimulates the reabsorption of water and sodium into the body. Both of these actions raise blood pressure. Therefore, by blocking, blood pressure is reduced. ARBs: Block the binding of Angiotensin II to type 1 Angiotensin II receptors. This blocks vasoconstriction and the secretion of aldosterone. Aldosterone causes sodium and water to be reabsorbed into the body, which can raise BP. Therefore, by blocking this receptor, blood pressure is reduced. CCBs: Blocks Calcium from binding to receptors which causes smooth muscles to relax, thereby preventing contraction. Question 8 Define key terms related to angina: coronary artery disease, ischemia, and myocardial infarction.