A patient with hypertension is admitted to the hospital. On admission the patient's heart rate is 72 beats per minute,and the blood pressure is 140/95 mm Hg. After administering an antihypertensive medication,the nurse notes a heart rate of 85 beats per minute and a blood pressure of 130/80 mm Hg. What does the nurse expect to occur?

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

When blood pressure drops,the baroreceptors in the aortic arch and carotid sinus sense this and relay information to the vasoconstrictor center of the medulla; this causes constriction of arterioles and veins and increased sympathetic impulses to the heart,resulting in an increased heart rate. After 1 to 2 days,this system resets to the new pressure,and the heart rate returns to normal. The blood pressure will not increase when this system resets. Increased potassium retention will not occur. Over time,the body will retain more fluid to increase the blood pressure.

A Patient with Hypertension Is Admitted to the Hospital