Compare and contrast your experiences with what the literature says. Did your site manage a hypertensive client similarly according to what the literature says?

Topic: Pain Management in Physical Therapy

As a nurse, my work on the cardiac/telemetry ward at my hospital has greatly helped me to gain a better understanding of hypertensive client management. When comparing my experience with the literature I have to admit there are some differences.

One article that I read highlighted the importance of evidence-based interventions, such as lifestyle changes, self-monitoring blood pressure (SMBP), or medication adherence, when treating hypertension patients. While I do use these strategies consistently within my practice setting, I find that our institution’s protocols rely more heavily on the use of pharmacological interventions than those recommended by literature. Literature recommends that vital signs be monitored frequently and lab values are recorded throughout treatment for safe blood pressure control. However, in our institution’s protocols, we primarily rely on SMBP results to evaluate effectiveness.

Overall though, there is still a great deal in common between my clinical experiences and what is suggested by literature regarding hypertension management—namely utilizing both nonpharmacologic and pharmacologic therapies—so I am confident that we are providing our hypertensive clients with quality care.