Nursing Diagnosis for Hypertension : Activity Intolerance

Nursing Diagnosis for Hypertension

Hypertension, commonly known as high blood pressure, is a prevalent cardiovascular condition that significantly impacts global health. This article explores the intricacies of hypertension, its causes, potential consequences, and strategies for effective management.

Understanding Hypertension:

1. Definition: Hypertension is characterized by consistently elevated blood pressure levels, measured in millimeters of mercury (mmHg). The two key values, systolic (the pressure when the heart beats) and diastolic (the pressure when the heart is at rest), are used to define hypertension.
2. Prevalence: As a leading risk factor for cardiovascular diseases, hypertension affects millions of individuals worldwide. It is often referred to as the "silent killer" due to its asymptomatic nature, making regular blood pressure monitoring crucial for early detection.

Causes of Hypertension:

1. Lifestyle Factors: Unhealthy lifestyle choices, including a diet high in sodium, lack of physical activity, excessive alcohol consumption, and smoking, contribute to the development of hypertension.
2. Genetic Factors: Family history can play a significant role in an individual's susceptibility to hypertension. Genetic predisposition may influence how the body regulates blood pressure.
3. Chronic Conditions: Underlying medical conditions such as kidney disease, hormonal disorders, or sleep apnea can contribute to hypertension.

Management of Hypertension:

1. Lifestyle Modifications: Adopting a healthy lifestyle is paramount in managing hypertension. This includes maintaining a balanced diet, engaging in regular physical activity, limiting alcohol intake, and quitting smoking.
2. Medications: In cases where lifestyle changes are insufficient, antihypertensive medications may be prescribed. These medications help regulate blood pressure and prevent complications.
3. Regular Monitoring: Continuous monitoring of blood pressure is essential for managing hypertension effectively. Home blood pressure monitoring devices are valuable tools for individuals to track their readings regularly.

Activity Intolerance 

Activity intolerance is a health condition characterized by the inability to endure or complete physical activities without experiencing disproportionate fatigue, weakness, or other symptoms. This article delves into the causes, assessment methods, and supportive strategies for individuals dealing with activity intolerance.

Causes of Activity Intolerance:

1.  Cardiovascular Conditions: Heart-related issues, such as heart failure or coronary artery disease, can compromise the heart's ability to pump blood effectively, leading to reduced stamina and activity intolerance.
2. Respiratory Disorders: Conditions like chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) or asthma can limit the ability to breathe efficiently, affecting the body's oxygen supply and contributing to fatigue during physical activities.
3. Deconditioning: Prolonged periods of inactivity or a sedentary lifestyle can lead to muscle weakness and reduced cardiovascular fitness, resulting in increased susceptibility to activity intolerance.
4. Chronic Illness: Certain chronic illnesses, such as fibromyalgia, chronic fatigue syndrome, or autoimmune disorders, may cause widespread pain, fatigue, and decreased stamina.

Assessment of Activity Intolerance:

1. Symptom Evaluation: Monitoring and documenting symptoms during and after physical activities, such as fatigue, shortness of breath, dizziness, or muscle pain, is crucial for assessing activity intolerance.
2. Functional Capacity Assessment: Conducting tests to measure an individual's ability to perform specific activities can provide valuable insights into their tolerance levels and limitations.
3. Medical History Review: Examining the individual's medical history helps identify underlying health conditions or medications that may contribute to activity intolerance.

Activity Intolerance related to weakness, imbalance between supply and demand of oxygen.

NOC :

• Energy conservation
• Self Care : ADLs

Outcomes :

• Participating in physical activity without an increase in blood pressure, pulse and respiratory rate.
• Able to perform daily activities (ADLs) independently.

NIC :

Energy Management

• Observation of restrictions client in performing the activity.
• Encourage the patient to express feelings towards.
• Assess the factors that cause fatigue.
• Monitor nutrition and adequate sources of energy.
• Monitor the patient that there is physical fatigue and emotional excess.
• Monitor cardiovascular response to activity.
• Monitor sleep patterns and duration of sleep / rest of the patient.

Activity Therapy

• Collaborate with the Medical Rehabilitation personnel in planning therapy program as appropriate.
• Help clients to identify activities they can carry out.
• Help to choose appropriate activities consistent with the physical ability, psychological and social.
• Help to identify and obtain the necessary resources for the desired activity.
• Help to get activity aids such as wheelchairs.
• Help to identify the preferred activity.
• Help clients to make exercise schedule at leisure.
• Help the patient / family to identify deficiencies in the activity.
• Provide positive reinforcement for active activities.
• Help the patient to develop self-motivation and reinforcement.
• Monitor response to physical, emotional, social and spiritual.

Pain Management and Analgesic Administration - Hypertension Nursing Care Plan

Bibliography:

1. Whelton, P. K., Carey, R. M., Aronow, W. S., Casey, D. E., Collins, K. J., Dennison Himmelfarb, C., ... & Wright, J. T. (2017). 2017 ACC/AHA/AAPA/ABC/ACPM/AGS/APhA/ASH/ASPC/NMA/PCNA guideline for the prevention, detection, evaluation, and management of high blood pressure in adults: a report of the American College of Cardiology/American Heart Association Task Force on Clinical Practice Guidelines. Journal of the American College of Cardiology, 71(19), e127-e248. doi: 10.1016/j.jacc.2017.11.006
2. Williams, B., Mancia, G., Spiering, W., Agabiti Rosei, E., Azizi, M., Burnier, M., ... & Kjeldsen, S. E. (2018). 2018 ESC/ESH Guidelines for the management of arterial hypertension. European Heart Journal, 39(33), 3021–3104. doi: 10.1093/eurheartj/ehy339
3. Zainab, A., Rehman, R., & Zahid, R. (2019). Assessment of physical activity, exercise tolerance and perceived fatigue in chronic obstructive pulmonary disease. Journal of Ayub Medical College Abbottabad, 31(3), 355-360.
4. Jones, D. A., Ainsworth, R., & Mawson, D. M. (2015). Associations between activity intensity and physical function in a sample of nursing home residents. Aging Clinical and Experimental Research, 27(5), 685-691. doi: 10.1007/s40520-014-0314-3
5. Parreira, V. F., Janaudis-Ferreira, T., Evans, R. A., Mathur, S., Goldstein, R. S., & Brooks, D. (2014). Measurement properties of the SenseWear armband in adults with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease. Thorax, 69(5), 443-449. doi: 10.1136/thoraxjnl-2013-204196