A 22-year-old patient is brought to the emergency department (ED) with multiple abrasions and bruises after being assaulted in a shopping center parking lot. The patient's initial blood pressure (BP) is 180/98. The nurse will plan to

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

Hypertension is a normal consequence of the activation of the "fight-or-flight" response. Because hypertension is expected when a patient has experienced an acute stressor, the nurse should plan to check the BP before discharge, which will provide a more accurate idea of the patient's usual blood pressure. Hypertension that occurs in response to acute stress does not increase risk for health problems such as stroke, indicate a need for hospitalization, or indicate a need for IV antihypertensive medications.

A 22-Year-Old Patient Is Brought to the Emergency Department (ED)