Abstract
One of the leading causes of death in the United States is coronary heart disease (CHD). Hypertension (HTN) also known to the general public, as high blood pressure has long been a risk factor associated with CHD. Hypertension affects 50-60 million Americans and is the second most common reason for office visits (Huffstutler, 2000). It is very important for a Perioperative Nurse Practitioner (PONP) to complete a thorough history and physical preoperatively to screen for HTN and avoid possible intraoperative and postoperative complications. A case study and guidelines for hypertension will be discussed in the article as well as the role of the perioperative nurse practitioner practicing in the orthopaedic perioperative setting.
Among the many advanced practice nursing roles, one new role is that of the perioperative nurse practitioner (PONP). The PONP holds a master's degree in nursing, for example, as a family nurse practitioner or acute care nurse practitioner as well as experience as a registered nurse first assistant (RNFA) or certified registered nurse first assistant (CRNFA). Blending these two nursing roles provides surgical patients expertise and continuity of perioperative nursing care.
The PONP must preoperatively assess potential health risks. Hypertension (HTN) affects 50-60 million Americans. HTN is the second most common reason for office visits and has long been a risk factor associated with coronary heart disease (CHD) (Huffstutler, 2000).
It is very important for the preoperative perioperative nurse practitioner to complete a thorough history and physical to screen for HTN associated with this condition to avoid possible intraoperative and postoperative complications.