Hypertension Management and Prevention - Essay Example

Hypertension Management and Prevention" is an engrossing example of a paper on the cardiovascular system.
Hypertension management and prevention involves approaches that aim at preventing and managing hypertension. According to WHO (2019), 1.13 billion people are suffering from hypertension with two-thirds living in middle and low-income countries. Global target aims at reducing the prevalence of hypertension by 25% by 2025. Management of hypertension is significant as it reduces complications such as heart attack, kidney diseases, and stroke, among others. One of the main goals of hypertension management and prevention is the abolition and reduction of vascular and coronary complications (Düsing, 2016).  Dusing (2016), further notes that prevention goals aim at advocating a healthy blood pressure of <120/80 mmHg among populations and achieving the required diet.  Himmelfarb et al. (2016), highlight that hypertension prevention and management is relevant to nursing as nurses are involved in patient education, detection and follow-up of patients with hypertension, monitoring BP levels, medication management, prevention, and coordination of care.

Literature Review

There is an extensive role of nursing actions towards prevention and management of hypertension using evidence-based practice to improve patient outcomes. Research indicates that when nurses are among health care professionals in hypertensive patient care, a change in blood pressure results as they follow up on patients, ensure the right medication is administered, and help the patients in lifestyle change (Himmelfarb et al., 2016). According to Drevenhorn (2018), there are no general guidelines for nurses in hypertension management and prevention. This hinders the position of the nurse's role, and it is, therefore, necessary to develop guidelines for nursing practice on hypertension. Drevenholm (2018), avers that nurses should incorporate behavioral models with counseling as it increases the efficiency of treatment.

Experiences in nursing actions towards management and prevention of hypertension are relevant in improving quality independent actions to patients. A study by Tuasikal (2020) shows that more experienced nurses are better at making decisions, counseling patients, training upcoming nurses, and working in hospital units. However, some studies indicate that individual self-care by the patient is of utmost significance. According to Gil & Oh, (2018), the patient should play a key role in ensuring that their health is a priority. Unreliable data sources for evidence-based practice in nursing are not current, encourage biasness, and contain unclear information about the authors. Nurses should, therefore, use reliable data sources for factual information.

Strategies to Improve Patient Management and Prevention of Hypertension

Various strategies have been adopted to help nurses improve patient outcomes towards the management and prevention of hypertension. Nurses should adopt leadership strategies such as mentoring other nurses which will help in improving patient outcomes. Nurses should incorporate patient engagement tools such as the use of mobile apps, regular blood pressure monitoring, and giving them educational materials that will help patients adjust their lifestyles (Himmelfarb et al., 2016). Another important strategy involves the use of hypertension protocols that will help in improving patient outcomes. Hypertension management and prevention should also include the patient's family and caregivers because they play an essential role in ensuring proper nutrition, timely medication, and encourage the patient on exercise which improves the patient outcome (Drevenhorn, 2018). Nurses should incorporate patient's preferences during management to help improve the outcomes. Other strategies involve the prevention of complications and illnesses related to hypertension, such as heart failure because it will reduce the number of hospital admissions.

 Reflection on State Board Nursing Practice Standards

My state nurse practice act will guide me towards providing safe and correct nursing care during the management of hypertensive patients. The act will also help me in maintaining competency and professionalism within my scope of work. The most surprising thing that I found while reading the state’s nurse practice act was that one is questionable by law if they do against the requirements of the act. One should acquire the necessary licenses and certificates before practicing as a registered nurse. Local, state, and federal laws impact nursing practice on hypertension management and prevention in that they provide regulations on sodium reduction for adults necessary in the management of hypertension. Nursing ethics are significant in the management and prevention of hypertension as it offers critical requirements in patient care and decision making enhances a positive working environment among professionals and enhances nursing values and morals.