Final answer:
The nurse should instruct the client with essential hypertension to walk at least 30 minutes a day on flat surfaces, as moderate exercise like walking helps lower blood pressure and improve heart health.
Step-by-step explanation:
When discussing exercise with a client who has been recently diagnosed with essential hypertension, it is important for the nurse to tailor exercise recommendations to the individual's health status and abilities, while considering the general guidelines for physical activity in managing hypertension. The nurse should instruct the client on the benefits of a moderate exercise program, emphasizing activities that the client is likely to enjoy and maintain consistently. As such, the most appropriate instruction from the options provided would be:
a. Walk at least 30 minutes a day on flat surfaces.
This suggestion aligns with clinical considerations that affirm even as little as 30 minutes of noncontinuous exercise scattered throughout the day can be beneficial, potentially reducing the risk of heart attack by nearly half. Walking is a moderate activity that can easily be incorporated into daily life and is less intimidating for clients beginning an exercise program. Moreover, regular walking is known to lower blood pressure, improve heart health, and contribute to an overall healthy lifestyle.