Chapter 27 Hypertension Q&A (1 of 95) Sample Questions

1. KMJ, a 50-year-old man approaches at your pharmacy looking for your advice on home blood pressure monitoring. Recently he has been diagnosed with mild hypertension and using hydrochlorothiazide (HCTZ) 25 mg po daily from the past 2 months. Up on questioning KMJ says that he does not have any other medical conditions and does not any over the counter medications. He smokes 4 to 6 cigarettes daily and drinks a glass of wine daily at supper and drinks 1 to 2 coffee daily. The pharmacist provides all of the following information regarding home blood pressure monitoring, except?
  1. A. An important aspect of home blood pressure monitoring is having the correct cuff size.
  2. B. Patients should be lye-down quietly for at least 30 minutes before taking reading.
  3. C. Avoid smoking at least 30 min before taking blood pressure reading.
  4. D. Avoid drinking coffee at least 30 min before taking blood pressure reading.
Answer
Ans: B
Tips: Patients should be advised to be seated quietly in a chair for at least 5 minutes, with their feet uncrossed on the floor and their arm supported at heart level. An important aspect of home blood pressure monitoring is having the correct cuff size. The standard-size cuff is recommended for patients with an arm circumference of 9 to 13 inches. For patients with arms measuring 14 to 17 inches, a larger-size cuff should be used. Patients should be lye-down quietly for at least 30 minutes before taking reading. Avoid caffeine and smoking at least 30 to 45 min before measuring blood pressure. There are 3 major types of blood pressure monitors, the mercury sphygmomanometer, the aneroid manometer, and the digital/electronic device, of these three the mercury sphygmomanometer is the most accurate.