Question

The nurse is taking the initial history of a patient admitted to the hospital for hypertension. The physician has ordered a beta-adrenergic blocker. Which statement by the patient does the nurse recognize as most significant?

1. "I don't handle stress well; I have a lot of diarrhea."
2. "When I have a migraine headache, I need to have the room darkened."
3. "My father died of a heart attack when he was 48-years-old."
4. "I have always had problems with my asthma."

Answer 1

The most significant statement when a patient with hypertension is prescribed a beta-blocker is their history of asthma, as beta-blockers may worsen asthma symptoms.

Step-by-step explanation:

The statement by the patient that the nurse should recognize as most significant when admitting a patient for hypertension who has been prescribed a beta-adrenergic blocker is: "I have always had problems with my asthma." Beta-blockers can exacerbate asthma symptoms because they block the beta receptors in the bronchial tubes, leading to bronchoconstriction. This is particularly relevant for patients with respiratory issues like asthma and can be contraindicated in their treatment plan.