What is the primary goal of initiating antihypertensive therapy in Mr. Carter?

Choice A reason: Diuretics can cause orthostatic hypotension by reducing blood volume, leading to dizziness. Rising slowly from a seated position minimizes this risk, making it a critical teaching point for safe diuretic use in a 69-year-old with hypertension, ensuring patient safety and adherence.

Choice B reason: Taking diuretics at bedtime is not advised, as they increase urination, causing nocturnal disturbances. Morning dosing is preferred to avoid sleep disruption, making this incorrect, as the nurse should teach daytime administration for better patient comfort and compliance.

Choice C reason: Expecting increased foot swelling is incorrect, as diuretics reduce edema by promoting fluid excretion. Swelling suggests inadequate control or complications, requiring reporting, not expectation, making this an incorrect teaching point for diuretic therapy in hypertension management.

Choice D reason: Consuming high-sodium foods counteracts diuretics’ effect, as sodium retention increases blood pressure and fluid overload. Low-sodium diets are recommended, making this incorrect, as the nurse should teach sodium restriction to enhance diuretic efficacy and hypertension control.

Choice A reason: Stabilizing an existing thrombus is not the primary goal of anticoagulant therapy, which focuses on preventing new clot formation. Thrombolytics dissolve clots, while anticoagulants inhibit clotting factors, making this incorrect, as prevention, not stabilization, is the main therapeutic objective.

Choice B reason: Dilating vessels is not an effect of anticoagulants, which inhibit clotting factors to prevent thrombus formation. Vasodilation is achieved by other drugs like nitrates, making this incorrect, as it does not align with the mechanism or goal of anticoagulant therapy.

Choice C reason: The primary goal of anticoagulant therapy is to prevent thrombus formation by inhibiting clotting factors, reducing the risk of thromboembolism in conditions like atrial fibrillation or DVT. This aligns with the therapeutic purpose, making it the correct goal for the nurse to understand.

Choice D reason: Dissolving existing thrombi is the role of thrombolytic therapy, not anticoagulants, which prevent new clots. Anticoagulants like heparin maintain clot stability but do not lyse clots, making this incorrect, as prevention is the primary focus of anticoagulant therapy.