A 70-year-old client asks the nurse to explain her hypertension as she

A 70-year-old client asks the nurse to explain her hypertension as she is to have her blood pres-sure checked each shift. An appropriate response by the nurse as to why older clients often expe-rience hypertension is because of:

1. Myocardial muscle damage
2. Reduction in physical activity
3. Ingestion of foods high in sodium
4. Accumulation of plaque on arterial walls

ANSWER

ANS: 4
Although hypertension is not a normal physiological change of aging, older adults often experi-ence hypertension because of vascular changes and accumulation of plaque on arterial walls, both of which reduce contractility. Vascular changes include thickening of vessel walls, narrowing of vessel lumen, and loss of vessel elasticity. Myocardial damage is not the reason for older adults commonly experiencing hypertension. Hypertension is not caused by a reduction in physical ac-tivity. Older adults with hypertension should be counseled on limiting fat and salt in their diet. However, ingestion of processed foods high in salt is not the reason why older clients often ex-perience hypertension.