Question

A nurse is assessing a 39 year old Caucasian female client. The client has a blood pressure (BP) of 152/92 mm Hg at rest, a total cholesterol of level of 190 mg/dL, and a fasting blood glucose level of 110 mg/dL. The nurse would place priority on which risk factor for coronary heart disease (CHD) in this client?

1) age
2) hypertension
3) hyperlipidemia
4) glucose intolerance

Answer 1

The nurse would prioritize addressing the client's hypertension, as it is above the threshold and a significant risk factor for coronary heart disease.

Step-by-step explanation:

The nurse would place priority on hypertension as the risk factor for coronary heart disease (CHD) in this client. Given that the client has a blood pressure of 152/92 mm Hg at rest, which exceeds the threshold for hypertension, this is a significant risk factor. Hypertension is persistently elevated blood pressure, which is a major contributor to the risk of cardiovascular diseases, including CHD, as well as other complications such as stroke and aneurysm. Despite the other factors listed (age, hyperlipidemia, and glucose intolerance), controlling blood pressure is crucial for reducing the overall risk of CHD and can be achieved with a combination of medications and lifestyle changes.