High Blood Pressure, Essay Example

Hypertension

Patients with hypertension often exhibit few signs or symptoms of the condition; therefore, the blood pressure reading may be the only indicator that a problem exists. For a patient with extremely high blood pressure such as 255/195, it is important to identify the resources that are required to address this patient and others with similar readings in order to support a viable treatment plan. Patients with hypertension may not recognize the severity of this condition and its impact on body organs and systems; therefore, these concerns must be addressed in an effort to produce effective patient outcomes. Jane Watson’s Theory of Caring offers a means of assessing patients, determining a diagnosis, and establishing a viable treatment plan in a timely manner.

Watson’s Theory of Caring

The Caring Assessment Tool (CAT) offers an opportunity to develop the nurse-patient relationship in order to improve patient outcomes in different ways, such as those associated with a hypertensive state (Duffy et.al, 2014). Patient-centered care is critical for patients with hypertension, due in large part to the few symptoms that are observed, thereby creating a different perception in the minds of some patients; therefore, nurses must work to convey the importance of hypertension treatment in order to reduce current and future risks of serious health problems (Duffy et.al, 2014).

Watson’s approach to caring supports the hypertension treatment model, which requires nurses to openly and actively provide information to patients in need of treatment in a compassionate and appropriate for their current needs (Watson, 2014). This is an important means of developing a strategy that will encompass new perspectives to enable nurses and patients to interact regarding hypertensive treatment needs on a more effective basis, whereby patient care is achieved using a model of compassion and understanding for the plight of patients, while also reinforcing the need for continuous treatment to maintain greater control over the disease state (Watson, 2014).

Watson’s model enables nurse-patient relationships to be more effective and appropriate, given the challenges of patient care and treatment in the modern era. This includes such factors as improved medication adherence (Roberts et.al, 2014) and ongoing support and monitoring for patients. Hypertension control must be maintained on a continuous basis in order to achieve effective outcomes and to demonstrate the importance of new strategies to manage patients over the long term (Khatib et.al, 2014). In this context, barriers to patient care must also be addressed and eliminated as best as possible, using a caring approach to ensure that treatment recommendations are consistent and appropriate with established guidelines (Khatib et.al, 2014). At the same time, nurses must demonstrate an ability to be effective communicators in addressing plans of care for patients with hypertension in order to alleviate complications as best as possible.

Conclusion

Hypertension is associated with a number of challenges that impact control of this condition, including accurate diagnoses, timely and appropriate treatments, and other factors that play a role in shaping patient outcomes. It is important to identify the resources that are required to ensure that patient care and treatment are successful, and nurses play a critical role in this process. These concerns are impacted by models of caring that will have a positive impact on patients, while also enabling nurses to gain valuable experience in treating patients using an established model of caring. These behaviors are likely to have a positive impact on patient care and will also demonstrate the importance of new strategies to ensure that patients with hypertension are treated effectively so that their condition is properly managed within the scope and framework of acceptable nursing practice.

References

Duffy, J. R., Brewer, B. B., & Weaver, M. T. (2014). Revision and psychometric properties of the Caring Assessment Tool. Clinical nursing research, 23(1), 80-93.

Khatib, R., Schwalm, J. D., Yusuf, S., Haynes, R. B., McKee, M., Khan, M., & Nieuwlaat, R. (2014). Patient and Healthcare Provider Barriers to Hypertension Awareness, Treatment and Follow Up: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis of Qualitative and Quantitative Studies. PloS one, 9(1), e84238.

Roberts, M. E., Wheeler, K. J., & Neiheisel, M. B. (2014). Medication adherence part three: Strategies for improving adherence. Journal of the American Association of Nurse Practitioners.

WATSON, J. (2014). Integrative Nursing Caring Science, Human Caring, and Peace. Integrative Nursing, 101.