Highlights the importance of understanding pathophysiology and using intravenous medications for the management of hypertensive emergencies to prevent end-organ damage.
Supports clinician education on pathophysiology-guided IV therapy in hypertensive emergencies; leaves open optimal agent selection pending prospective trials.
Hypertensive emergencies are characterized by acute blood pressure elevations and potential for end organ damage. The critical care nurse must understand the pathophysiology to appreciate the therapeutic management and complications associated with the devastating clinical event. Stroke, renal damage and failure, retinopathy, aortic dissection, and encephalopathy are among the sequelae of severe hypertensive episodes. Intravenous medications are the treatment of choice to lower the blood pressure without risking hypoperfusion of the brain and other vital organs.
No takes yet. Share an insight, caveat, or question.
Margaret Schulenburg (2007) studied this question.
Synapse has enriched 4 closely related papers on similar clinical questions. Consider them for comparative context: