Question

A community health nurse is providing care to a client who has stopped taking their prescribed blood pressure medication. Which of the following actions should the nurse take first?

a) Schedule an appointment with a nutritionist.
b) Advise the client to start a new exercise regimen.
c) Discuss the importance of medication adherence with the client.
d) Recommend alternative herbal remedies for blood pressure.

Answer 1

The nurse should first discuss the importance of medication adherence with the client since effective hypertension treatment often requires both medication and lifestyle changes.

Step-by-step explanation:

If a community health nurse is providing care to a client who has stopped taking their prescribed blood pressure medication, the first action the nurse should take is to discuss the importance of medication adherence with the client. This discussion is essential because treating hypertension effectively often requires both lifestyle changes and medication. Uncontrolled high blood pressure can lead to multiple health complications, including an increased risk of cardiovascular diseases, such as heart attacks and strokes. Medications such as thiazide-diuretics, calcium channel blockers, ACE inhibitors, and ARBs are vital in managing blood pressure. Only after addressing the critical issue of medication adherence should the nurse consider additional interventions such as dietary changes, exercise regimens, or the inclusion of alternative therapies, always based on the individual needs and situation of the client.