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NURS 251 Pharmacology Module 3- Portage LearningNURS 251 Pharmacology Module 3- Portage Learning
Test Bank Page 1
, NURS 251 Pharmacology Module 3- Portage Learning
Module 3
3.1: Introduction to Cardiology
Taking a Blood Pressure
Blood pressure is the pressure exerted against the walls of blood vessels as blood circulates through the body.
Blood pressure is measured using an instrument called a sphygmomanometer, perhaps more commonly
known as the blood pressure cuff. The pressures associated are measured in units of millimeters of mercury
(mm/Hg). The health care provider inflates a blood pressure cuff in order to cut off the blood flow from the
brachial artery. As they release the pressure in the cuff, they are listening with a stethoscope, for the first
sound, called the Korotkoff sound, meaning there is no longer enough pressure to keep all the blood from
flowing. The Korotkoff sound corresponds to a numerical gauge on the sphygmomanometer and is called the
systolic value (top number) of the patient’s blood pressure. The provider continues to let air out of the cuff
and eventually the sounds disappear, representing that the brachial artery is now completely open. When this
occurs, the numerical value on the sphygmomanometer is known as the diastolic value (bottom number) in a
patient’s blood pressure.
Hypertension is defined as the persistent systolic blood pressure of greater than 150mm/Hg and/or a diastolic
blood pressure greater than 90mm/Hg in patients 60 years of age and older. For patients younger than 60 or
those with kidneydisease or diabetes, it is defined as a systolic reading greater than 140mm/Hg and diastolic
greater than 90mmHg.
Hypertension is often an asymptomatic disease and is also considered the most common disease state
worldwide. Table
3.1 below breaks down different classifications of hypertension.
Table 3.1 Classification of Hypertension
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, NURS 251 Pharmacology Module 3- Portage Learning
Classification Blood Pressure (mm/Hg)
Normotensive <120/80
Prehypertensive 120-139/80-89
Hypertensive >140/90
Stage 1 140-159/90-99
Stage 2 >160/100
Essential hypertension, also known as primary hypertension, is when the cause of the increased blood pressure
isunknown.
Secondary hypertension is when a patient’s elevated blood pressure is caused by another disease.
Orthostatic hypotension, which is when a patient experiences a sudden drop in blood pressure when they
change positions (i.e. when going from a seated position to standing).
Physiologic Factors that Determine Blood Pressure
Blood Pressure is determined by cardiac output, the amount of blood ejected from the heart’s left ventricle
multiplied bythe Systemic Vascular Resistance (SVR), the resistance to blood flow.
Cardiac output is determined by two factors: heart rate (beats per minute) and stroke volume (volume of blood
pumped per minute).
SVR is determined by the diameter of the blood vessel as well as the musculature nature of the blood
vessel.An increase in any of the above factors: heart rate, stroke volume or SVR will result in a rise in
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, NURS 251 Pharmacology Module 3- Portage Learning
blood pressure.
There are also several factors commonly associated with high blood pressure even though they alone do not
cause high blood pressure. Associated factors of blood pressure include: sodium intake, maintaining a healthy
weight, avoiding
Test Bank Page 4
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