Nursing Diagnoses for Hypertension

Components of a Nursing Diagnosis

1. Nursing Diagnosis

   • The actual diagnosis, standardized by NANDA.
   • No need to create; select from a NANDA-approved list.

2. Related To (Etiology)

   • The cause/pathophysiology of the disorder.
   • Considers what's happening in the patient's body.

3. As Evidenced By (Signs & Symptoms)

   • Clinical signs seen in the patient.

PES Statement

• Problem: Nursing diagnosis.
• Etiology: Related to factor.
• Signs and Symptoms: As evidenced by.

Nursing Diagnoses for Hypertension

• Decreased activity tolerance.
• Impaired cardiovascular function.
• At-risk for decreased cardiac output.

Creating a Nursing Care Plan

1. Nursing Diagnosis

   • Choose from the standardized NANDA list, ensure it's applicable to the patient.

2. Related To Section

   • Focus on pathophysiology.
   • Examples: Increased vascular resistance, obesity, myocardial damage, ventricular hypertrophy.

3. As Evidenced By Section

   • Symptoms like increased blood pressure, headache, blurred vision, irregular heart rate, fatigue.
   • Connect these symptoms to the pathophysiology of hypertension.

Patient Goals for Hypertension Care Plan

• Maintain blood pressure within an acceptable range.
• Participate in activities that reduce blood pressure and cardiac workload.
• Understand prescribed blood pressure medications.
• Maintain a stable cardiac rhythm and rate.
• Understand importance of lifestyle activities to reduce blood pressure.

Nursing Interventions for Hypertension

• Monitor cardiac and circulation status.
• Monitor pulses and check for edema.
• Evaluate tolerance of activities of daily living.
• Monitor blood pressure and response to medications.

Additional Resources

• Free nursing diagnosis cheat sheet available.
• Nursing SS membership community offers care plans, study guides, videos, and cheat sheets.

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General Tips

• Goals should be written as "the patient will".
• Interventions should be written as "the nurse will".
• Focus on applying knowledge of pathophysiology to patient-specific situations.