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?

Option 1:
Reassure the client and encourage them to resume taking their blood pressure medication as prescribed.

Option 2:
Explore the reasons behind the client's decision to stop taking the medication and address any concerns or barriers.

Option 3:
Immediately report the situation to the healthcare provider for further instructions.

Option 4:
Provide the client with alternative non-pharmacological interventions for managing blood pressure.

Answer 1

The first action a nurse should take for a client who stopped taking blood pressure medication is to explore the reasons for non-adherence and address any concerns. Understanding the patient's situation helps in providing personalized care and improving medication adherence for managing hypertension.

Step-by-step explanation:

When a client has stopped taking their prescribed blood pressure medication, the first action a community health nurse should take is to explore the reasons behind the client's decision to stop taking the medication and address any concerns or barriers. This approach allows the health professional to understand the patient's perspective and to tailor interventions that might improve adherence to the medication regimen. It is essential to understand that medications such as thiazide-diuretics, calcium channel blockers, ACE inhibitors, and ARBs are critical in managing hypertension, which is a significant risk factor for cardiovascular diseases. Exploring the client's choices can help overcome barriers such as side effects, cost, or misunderstandings about the medication's importance.

Only after assessing and addressing the reasons for non-adherence should the nurse consider reassuring the patient, reviewing non-pharmacological interventions, or notifying the healthcare provider for further instructions. Optimal blood pressure control often requires a combination of medication management and lifestyle adjustments. These steps followed in a stepped care approach are aimed at achieving target blood pressure levels to reduce the risk of stroke and other cardiovascular complications.