Question

During an episode of autonomic dysreflexia in which the client becomes hypertensive, the nurse should perform which of the following interventions?

A. Elevate the client's legs.
B. Put the client flat in bed.
C. Put the client in Trendelenburg's position.
D. Put the client in the high-Fowler's position.

Answer 1

To manage a hypertensive episode during autonomic dysreflexia, the nurse should place the client in the high-Fowler's position, not to be confused with interventions for orthostatic hypotension.

Step-by-step explanation:

During an episode of autonomic dysreflexia where a client becomes hypertensive, the nurse should put the client in the high-Fowler's position. This position involves sitting the client upright at a 90-degree angle, or as close to it as possible, which can help lower blood pressure by promoting venous return and decreasing the effects of gravity on blood distribution. This intervention is different from the management of orthostatic hypotension, where the primary issue is a drop in blood pressure upon standing due to improper cardiovascular response to postural changes. Autonomic dysreflexia, on the other hand, represents an overactive autonomic response leading to dangerously high blood pressure and requires immediate action to raise the head and upper body to help mitigate this response.