When it comes to high blood pressure or hypertension, proper medical diagnosis and treatment are vital for optimum health. While lifestyle modifications can help keep high blood pressure under control, sometimes aggressive interventions such as medication or surgery may be necessary. Nurses play a crucial role in assisting patients to manage hypertension effectively through an individualized nursing care plan.
In this blog post, we’ll discuss what goes into creating a comprehensive nursing care plan for hypertension, including nursing diagnosis for hypertension methods, interventions available to patients suffering from the condition, tips, and strategies on how to serve these individuals best long term, and more. Read on to get all your questions answered related to hypertension management.
Table of Contents
What is Hypertension?
Hypertension, commonly known as high blood pressure, is a condition that affects millions of people across the globe. While it may not cause noticeable symptoms, untreated hypertension can lead to serious health complications like heart disease, stroke, and kidney failure.
Hypertension occurs when the force of blood against the walls of the arteries becomes too high, putting extra strain on the heart and blood vessels. Fortunately, many ways to manage hypertension include lifestyle changes and medication. If you are concerned about your blood pressure, talk to your healthcare provider, who can help you determine the best action to control it.
What is Nursing Diagnosis for Hypertension?
- Normal Blood Pressure: Lower than 120/ 80
- Prehypertension: 120-139/80-89
- Stage 1 Hypertension: 140-159/90-99
- Stage 2 Hypertension: 160+/100+
Causes
The leading causes of hypertension (primary or secondary) include:
- Poor diet or eating habits (salt/sodium intake, unhealthy fats)
- Lack of exercise
- Stress
- Alcohol consumption
- Smoking
- Certain medications and supplements
- Chronic illnesses like diabetes or kidney disease
Symptoms
Hypertension is a silent condition that can cause no noticeable symptoms. This makes it even more important to have your blood pressure checked regularly.
- But below are some of the most common symptoms of hypertension:
- Headache
- Ringing or buzzing in the ears
- Fatigue
- Irregular heartbeat
- Confusion or dizziness
- Nosebleed
- Blurred vision
- Difficulty breathing
- Chest pain
- Blood in the urine
Nursing Care Plans for Hypertension
Once it is confirmed that a patient has high blood pressure, they will need to be administered an appropriate nursing diagnosis and care plan for hypertension to reduce the risks of any harm caused by their condition. The following six care plans cover all possible issues associated with this illness: each includes its particular nursing diagnosis, NANDA definition, potential signs of evidence, desired outcome, and necessary nursing interventions for hypertension.
You can determine which plan best fits the individual’s needs using the NANDA definition and potential evidence provided.
1. Nursing Diagnosis for Risk For Decreased Cardiac Output
Potential Signs of Evidence:
- Elevated blood pressure readings
- Enlarged heart on an imaging test
- Abnormal electrocardiogram (ECG) reading
Desired Outcome: The patient will have stable cardiac output and blood pressure readings.
Nursing Interventions:
- Monitor vital signs regularly
- Administer medications to lower blood pressure as prescribed
- Encourage lifestyle changes like reducing stress, increasing exercise, and modifying diet
- Provide patient education on the health implications of hypertension and how to monitor their condition at home.
- Refer the patient to appropriate healthcare providers for further evaluation and treatment.
2. Nursing Diagnosis For Acute Pain (Typically Headache)
NANDA Definition: Pain caused by elevated blood pressure resulting in headache or other discomfort.
Potential Signs of Evidence:
- The patient reports increased head pain
- Elevated blood pressure readings
Desired Outcome: The patient will have decreased pain and an improved quality of life.
Nursing Interventions:
- Monitor vital signs regularly
- Administer analgesics as needed and prescribed by a healthcare provider
- Encourage the patient to relax, drink fluids, and change positions as needed for comfort measures
- Provide emotional support to help reduce stress levels which can contribute to the severity of headaches
3. Nursing Diagnosis For Activity Intolerance Nursing Diagnosis
NANDA Definition: Fatigue is a state of tiredness caused by insufficient physiological and psychological energy to endure or complete the tasks one must do or wishes to do in their daily life.
Potential Signs of Evidence:
• Fatigue, shortness of breath with exertion, lightheadedness, chest pain, dizziness
Desired Outcome: The patient will have increased stamina and physical activity levels.
Nursing Interventions:
- Monitor vital signs regularly
- Encourage the patient to increase physical activity as tolerated gradually
- Educate the patient on lifestyle modifications such as smoking cessation, stress reduction techniques, and dietary changes that can help improve their quality of life.
- If necessary, refer the patient to appropriate healthcare professionals for further evaluation and treatment.
4. Nursing Diagnosis For Ineffective Coping Nursing Diagnosis
NANDA Definition: Inability to accurately assess the sources of stress, inadequate options for coping responses, and an inability to effectively utilize available resources to address it can all contribute to ineffective adaptation.
Potential Signs of Evidence:
The patient expresses feelings of sadness, fear, guilt, or worry
Reports difficulty concentrating or sleeping due to thoughts about hypertension
Desired Outcome: The patient will demonstrate positive coping strategies and improved quality of life.
Nursing Interventions:
- Provide supportive counseling services such as cognitive-behavioral therapy or stress management techniques.
- Educate patients on lifestyle modifications that can help reduce their risk factors for hypertension and improve overall health outcomes.
- Refer the patient to appropriate healthcare professionals, such as psychiatrists or psychologists, for further evaluation and treatment.
5. Nursing Diagnosis for Risk for Injury
NANDA Definition: At risk of physical harm due to elevated blood pressure leading to stroke, heart attack, or other health complications.
Potential Signs of Evidence:
- Elevated blood pressure readings
- History of cardiovascular disease in the family
Desired Outcome: The patient will have decreased risks for injury related to high blood pressure.
Nursing Interventions:
- Monitor vital signs regularly
- Administer medications to lower blood pressure as prescribed by a healthcare provider.
- Encourage lifestyle modifications such as reducing salt/sodium intake, increasing exercise, and reducing stress.
- Provide patient education on the risks associated with hypertension and how to monitor their condition at home.
6. Nursing Diagnosis for Imbalanced Nutrition
NANDA Definition: Consuming more nutrients than needed to meet the body’s metabolic needs can lead to excess intake.
Potential Signs of Evidence:
- Elevated cholesterol levels
- High blood sugar readings
Desired Outcome: The patient will meet the body’s nutritional requirements through a healthy diet.
Nursing Interventions:
- Educate the patient on the importance of a balanced diet for controlling high blood pressure.
- Help the patient identify foods low in sodium, fat, and sugar and high in fiber, minerals, and vitamins.
- If necessary, refer the patient to a dietician or nutritionist for further evaluation and dietary recommendations.
These care plans provide essential guidance when caring for someone with hypertension. With proper management and monitoring, you can help the individual maintain their health and prevent any significant complications from arising. By creating an individualized care plan, you can ensure they receive the best care for their condition.
Frequently Asked Question
Can drinking water lower blood pressure?
Research has shown that staying hydrated can help regulate blood flow and reduce blood pressure. This is because when you are dehydrated, your blood vessels constrict, which can cause a spike in blood pressure. By drinking enough water throughout the day, you can help keep your blood vessels open and lower your blood pressure.
What food bring blood pressure down fast?
References:
- https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK568676/
- https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hypertension#:~:text=Hypertension%20(HTN%20or%20HT)%2C,usually%20does%20not%20cause%20symptoms.
Mrs. Marie Brown has been a registered nurse for over 25 years. She began her nursing career at a Level I Trauma Center in downtown Chicago, Illinois. There she worked in the Emergency Department and on the Surgical Intensive Care Unit. After several years, she moved to the Midwest and continued her nursing career in a critical care setting. For the last 10 years of her nursing career, Mrs. Brown worked as a flight nurse with an air ambulance service. During this time, she cared for patients throughout the United States.