A medical-surgical nurse is providing discharge education to a 58-year-old client recently diagnosed with stage II chronic kidney disease and essential hypertension. The client asks the nurse for strategies to manage the new diagnoses and prevent further renal damage. To correctly implement a tertiary disease prevention strategy, what specific instruction must the nurse provide?
- Record your blood pressure at home daily and strictly adhere to your prescribed antihypertensive medication schedule.Answer
- BSchedule a fasting blood glucose test and lipid panel every six months to detect the early onset of metabolic disorders.
- CUnderstand that occasional episodes of sudden confusion and memory loss are normal physiological changes expected at your age.
- DProceed immediately to the nearest emergency department if you experience mild fatigue or minor changes in your sleep pattern.
Answer
The instruction to record blood pressure daily and adhere to antihypertensive medications.
Tertiary prevention focuses on minimizing the progression and complications of an already established disease. For a client with diagnosed chronic kidney disease and hypertension, strict blood pressure control through consistent monitoring and medication adherence is a core tertiary intervention that directly prevents further target-organ damage.
Step-by-Step Solution
Key Concept
Levels of Disease Prevention: Tertiary Prevention