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

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

The expected finding in a cocaine user is hypertension and increased heart rate. 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 arteries.

The Nurse Is Recording Blood Pressure and Counting Pulse Rate