Question

A nurse is discussing management of hypertension with a patient. Which of the following statements by the patient would indicate that the patient needs additional teaching about the relationship between hypertension and acute coronary syndrome (ACS)?

1) My high blood pressure has no relationship to the severity of heart disease or its outcomes.
2) Because I'm over 80, even a 20 mm Hg drop in my blood pressure can reduce my risk.
3) High blood pressure will increase my body's need for oxygen and increase my heart's workload.
4) Controlling my blood pressure will decrease my risk of having a heart attack to some degree.

Answer 1

The patient needs additional teaching about the relationship between hypertension and acute coronary syndrome (ACS). Statement 1 and statement 4 are correct answers.

Step-by-step explanation:

To determine if the patient needs additional teaching about the relationship between hypertension and acute coronary syndrome (ACS), we need to consider the statements made by the patient.

1. A statement that indicates a lack of understanding about the relationship between hypertension and ACS is when the patient says, 'My high blood pressure has no relationship to the severity of heart disease or its outcomes.' This statement is incorrect because hypertension is a major risk factor for coronary artery disease, which can lead to acute coronary syndrome.
2. A statement that shows a good understanding of the relationship between hypertension and ACS is when the patient says, 'Controlling my blood pressure will decrease my risk of having a heart attack to some degree.' This statement is correct because by controlling blood pressure, the patient can reduce their risk of developing ACS or experiencing a heart attack.

Therefore, statement 1 is the one that indicates the patient needs additional teaching about the relationship between hypertension and ACS.