The nurse is recording blood pressure and counting pulse rate of a patient who uses cocaine. What is the expected finding in this patient?

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

Most cocaine users typically demonstrate hypertension and an increased heart rate. Chest pain may mimic a myocardial infarction. Vasoconstriction occurs both within the coronary arteries and the peripheral circulation, resulting in hypertension and episodes of cardiac ischemia that may cause infarcts. In some cases, multiple infarcts may occur even with normal coronary artery.

The Nurse Is Recording Blood Pressure and Counting Pulse Rate