Difficulty: Medium
Average Score: 71%
Simulated
A 65-year-old male patient with hypertension was recently started on a new antihypertensive medication. During the evaluation phase of the nursing process, which action should the nurse prioritize?
Correct answer
D
Rationale
The correct answer is D: Assess the patient's blood pressure to determine if the medication is effective. This is the priority during the evaluation phase because it directly assesses the effectiveness of the new antihypertensive medication in managing the patient's hypertension. By monitoring the patient's blood pressure, the nurse can evaluate if the medication is achieving the desired therapeutic effect.
Reviewing the patient's medication history for potential drug interactions (A) is important but not a priority during the evaluation phase. Educating the patient about potential side effects (B) is also crucial but can be done after assessing the medication's effectiveness. Documenting the patient's baseline blood pressure (C) is essential but should have been done before starting the medication, not during the evaluation phase.
Reviewing the patient's medication history for potential drug interactions (A) is important but not a priority during the evaluation phase. Educating the patient about potential side effects (B) is also crucial but can be done after assessing the medication's effectiveness. Documenting the patient's baseline blood pressure (C) is essential but should have been done before starting the medication, not during the evaluation phase.