Hypertension Practice Questions
Master Hypertension for the NCLEX-RN exam with comprehensive practice questions, detailed explanations, and proven study strategies.
2,500+
Practice Questions
94%
Pass Rate
235K+
Students Passed
What You'll Learn
Hypertension is a critical topic for the NCLEX-RN exam, as it is a highly prevalent and potentially life-threatening condition that nurses must be able to recognize, manage, and educate patients about. Understanding the pathophysiology, risk factors, signs and symptoms, diagnostic criteria, treatment options, and nursing interventions related to hypertension is essential for providing safe and effective care to patients. This content will cover the key concepts, common mistakes, study tips, and sample questions to help you master this crucial topic for the NCLEX-RN exam.
Key Concepts
Blood Pressure
The force exerted by circulating blood on the walls of blood vessels, typically expressed as a ratio of systolic pressure (when the heart contracts) to diastolic pressure (when the heart relaxes).
Hypertension
A chronic medical condition in which the blood pressure in the arteries is persistently elevated, typically defined as a systolic blood pressure of 130 mmHg or higher and/or a diastolic blood pressure of 80 mmHg or higher.
Primary (Essential) Hypertension
High blood pressure with no identifiable underlying cause, accounting for approximately 90-95% of hypertension cases.
Secondary Hypertension
High blood pressure caused by an underlying medical condition, such as kidney disease, adrenal gland disorders, or certain medications.
Prehypertension
Blood pressure that is elevated but not high enough to be classified as hypertension, with a systolic blood pressure between 120-129 mmHg and a diastolic blood pressure between 80-84 mmHg.
Common Mistakes to Avoid
- Failing to properly measure and document blood pressure readings, which can lead to inaccurate diagnosis and management of hypertension.
- Overlooking secondary causes of hypertension, such as kidney disease or hormonal imbalances, and instead focusing solely on primary (essential) hypertension.
- Not recognizing the signs and symptoms of hypertensive emergencies, such as chest pain, shortness of breath, and severe headache, which require immediate medical intervention.
- Inadequately educating patients on the importance of lifestyle modifications, such as diet, exercise, and stress management, as part of the treatment plan for hypertension.
- Misunderstanding the different classes of antihypertensive medications and their mechanisms of action, leading to improper medication selection and dosing.
Study Tips for Hypertension
Familiarize yourself with the current clinical guidelines and diagnostic criteria for hypertension, as they may have been updated since your nursing program.
Practice calculating and interpreting blood pressure readings, including understanding the significance of systolic and diastolic measurements.
Become familiar with the various risk factors and comorbidities associated with hypertension, such as obesity, diabetes, and cardiovascular disease.
Develop a thorough understanding of the pathophysiology of hypertension and how it can lead to target organ damage, such as heart failure, stroke, and kidney disease.
Review the different classes of antihypertensive medications, their mechanisms of action, and the appropriate use of each class based on patient characteristics and comorbidities.
Ready to Start?
Get instant access to all Hypertension practice questions with detailed explanations.
Start Free TrialNo credit card required
Related NCLEX-RN Topics
NCLEX-RN Question Types
Frequently Asked Questions
How many Hypertension questions are on the NCLEX-RN?
Hypertension is an important component of the NCLEX-RN exam. Upsero includes hundreds of practice questions covering all aspects of this topic.
How do I study for Hypertension?
Start with understanding the key concepts, then practice with realistic exam questions. Upsero's ReadyScore tracks your mastery of Hypertension so you know when you're ready for the real exam.
Are the practice questions similar to the real NCLEX-RN?
Yes! Our Hypertension questions are designed to match the exact format, difficulty, and style of the actual NCLEX-RN exam. Many students say our questions are even harder than the real exam.
Master Hypertension Today
Join thousands of students who passed the NCLEX-RN with Upsero
Start Free Trial