Influences of Age, Gender, and Ethnicity on Hypertensive Medication - Case Study Example

Applicable to patients who were diagnosed with hypertension, OConnell (2014: 12) pointed out the idea that “calcium channel blockers” should be given to those of African origin. Since the patient is an African man, the administration of “calcium channel blockers” is much better as compared to Maxzide 37.5/25 mg each morning. As such, the best option to improve CF’s blood pressure is to change the patient’s current medication to calcium channel blockers and ACE inhibitors (i.e. Lotrel – amlodipine and benazepril, Teczem – diltiazem and enalapril, or Lexxel – felodipine and enalapril) (Makani et al., 2011). Calcium channel blockers can effectively reduce the patient’s blood pressure by purposely dilating the arteries (Elliott & Ram, 2011).

The main reason behind the need to combine the use of calcium channel blockers with ACE inhibitors is not only to increase its effectiveness in treating hypertension but also to prevent the risks of developing peripheral edema caused by the use of calcium channel blocker monotherapy (Makani et al., 2011). The following are the initial dosage of each alternative medication: Alternative MedicationInitial DosageLotrel – amlodipine and benzepril1 tablet 2.5mg/10mg per orem every morningTeczem – diltiazem and enalapril1 to 2 tablets of 180mg/5mg per orem every morningLexxel – felodipine and enalapril1 tablet of 2.

5mg/5mg per orem each day Source: Comerford, 2015: 1529; Wolters Kluwer & Lippincott, 2010; King & Brucker, 2011: 404Significance of Patient Teaching BMI between 30 to 34 is classified as “obese 1” whereas BMI between 35 to 40 is classified as either “obese II or III” (University of Vermont, 2015). The fact that the patient’s BMI is 32 strongly suggests that the patient is obese. To prevent the risks of developing serious organ damage (i.e. stroke or heart failure); patient teaching should focus on the need to encourage the patient to change or modify his lifestyle.

In general, a BP of more than 140/90 is classified as “Stage 1” hypertension (OConnell, 2014: 12). Given the fact that obesity is one of the possible causes of hypertension (OConnell, 2014), patient teaching should include weight control through proper diet and exercise. For example, aside from eating foods that contain too much salt, O’Connell (2014) mentioned that having a diet with high content of saturated fats combined with very few green vegetables and fruits are some of the possible causes of hypertension.

For this reason, the nurse practitioner should teach the patient the need to eat foods with low salt content and low saturated fats while increasing their vegetable and fruit intake. Patient teaching should also include adverse reactions or side effects of the medication. For example, when administering Lexxel, nurse practitioners should inform the patient that this particular drug could trigger severe hypotension in rare cases (King & Brucker, 2011: 404).