Hypertensive Emergencies

Depending on end-organ involvement, hypertensive crisis is classified as hypertensive urgency or hypertensive emergency. The recognition of a hypertensive crisis will lead to the adequate reduction of blood pressure to ameliorate the incidence of end-organ damage. Hypertensive crises result from dysfunction in the renin-angiotensin-aldosterone system and damage to the vascular bed. They occur commonly in the emergency department setting and can lead to increased mortality rates if not treated. Registered nurses play a vital role in assessing patients and administering medications during hypertensive crises. This article will outline the assessment strategies that registered nurses should implement in critical care units while patients are receiving antihypertensive drugs. We will also underscore the significance of monitoring specific laboratory values to mitigate the potential side effects of these drugs and exclude them when contraindicated.