Question

A middle-aged male patient with usually well-controlled hypertension and diabetes visits the clinic. Today he has a blood pressure of 174/94 mm Hg and a blood glucose level of 190 mg/dL. What patient information may indicate that additional intervention by the nurse is needed?

a. The patient states that he takes his prescribed antihypertensive medications daily.
b. The patient states that both of his parents have high blood pressure and diabetes.
c. The patient indicates that he does blood glucose monitoring several times each day.
d. The patient reports that he and his wife are disputing custody of their 8-yr-old son.

Answer 1

Additional nursing intervention may be necessary for the patient who has heightened blood pressure and blood sugar levels if there is an acute stressor in his life, such as a custody dispute, that could be adversely affecting his health condition.

Step-by-step explanation:

A middle-aged male patient with usually well-controlled hypertension and diabetes visits the clinic today with a blood pressure of 174/94 mm Hg and a blood glucose level of 190 mg/dL. To determine if additional intervention by the nurse is needed, one should consider all aspects of the patient's situation. However, the information that may indicate the need for further nursing intervention is (d) The patient reports that he and his wife are disputing custody of their 8-year-old son. This stressor could contribute to an acute increase in blood pressure and blood glucose levels due to the physiological effects of stress on the body. Despite the patient's claim of taking his prescribed antihypertensive medications daily and monitoring his blood glucose, the acute stress may compromise his well-controlled medical conditions and necessitate extra nursing support or medical adjustment.