The school nurse has been asked to begin teaching sex education in the 5th grade. Which statement should be the foundation for the information the nurse should present?

The correct answer is choice C. Treating the underlying disease.

Choice A rationale:

Administration of digoxin. Administering digoxin is not the initial goal for the treatment of secondary hypertension. Digoxin is a medication commonly used to treat heart failure and certain arrhythmias, but it is not a primary intervention for hypertension. The rationale for this choice being incorrect lies in the fact that digoxin primarily affects the heart's contractility and is not a preferred option for managing high blood pressure.

Choice B rationale:

Weight control and diet. Weight control and dietary modifications are important aspects of managing hypertension, both primary and secondary. However, they are not the initial goal for the treatment of secondary hypertension. While these lifestyle modifications can contribute to blood pressure reduction, the primary focus in secondary hypertension is to identify and address the underlying condition causing the high blood pressure.

Choice C rationale:

Treating the underlying disease. Correct Answer. The initial goal for the treatment of secondary hypertension is to address the underlying disease or condition that is causing the elevated blood pressure. Unlike primary hypertension, which often lacks a specific underlying cause, secondary hypertension results from an identifiable condition such as kidney disease, hormonal disorders, or certain medications. Treating the root cause can lead to blood pressure normalization.

Choice D rationale:

Administration of β-adrenergic receptor blockers. Administering β-adrenergic receptor blockers is not typically the initial goal for the treatment of secondary hypertension. While these medications can lower blood pressure by blocking the effects of adrenaline and reducing heart rate, they are not the first-line approach for addressing the underlying cause of secondary hypertension.

The correct answers are choices A, B, and D.

Choice A rationale:

Decreased urinary output can be a sign of heart failure, especially in infants. In heart failure, the heart's ability to pump effectively can lead to decreased blood flow to the kidneys, resulting in decreased urine production.

Choice B rationale:

Sweating (inappropriate) is a symptom of heart failure in infants. Infants with heart failure might sweat excessively, especially while feeding or crying, due to the effort required by the heart to pump blood effectively.

Choice C rationale:

Warm flushed extremities are not typically associated with heart failure in infants. In heart failure, extremities might actually become cool and pale due to poor circulation.

Choice D rationale:

Anorexia, or a lack of appetite, is a common sign in infants with heart failure. The increased effort required for feeding due to compromised cardiac function can lead to poor feeding and decreased appetite.

Choice E rationale:

Weight loss can occur in infants with heart failure due to inadequate caloric intake, difficulty with feeding, and increased metabolic demands associated with heart failure. However, it's not as specific a sign as decreased urinary output, sweating, and anorexia.