Question

A client with secondary hypertension has come into the clinic for a routine check-up. When comparing this client's diagnosis to primary hypertension, the nurse recognizes that secondary hypertension:

a. has a specific cause.
b. has a more gradual onset than primary hypertension.
c. does not normally cause target organ damage.
d. does not normally respond to antihypertensive drug therapy.

Answer 1

Secondary hypertension has a specific cause and unlike primary hypertension, it can be due to conditions like chronic kidney disease or endocrine disorders such as Cushing's disease.

Step-by-step explanation:

The client with secondary hypertension does have a specific cause, which differentiates it from primary hypertension. While primary hypertension is due to a combination of genetics and lifestyle factors and has no identifiable cause, secondary hypertension is attributable to identifiable conditions such as chronic kidney disease or endocrine disorders. Secondary hypertension is often more sudden in onset and can cause target organ damage, and it typically responds to treatment when the underlying cause is addressed.