Discharge Plan for High Blood Pressure

Discharge Plan for High Blood Pressure

Hello Class

This week we are discussing on a discharge plan of a 58-year old male with a family history of high cholesterol and high blood pressure and is experiencing chest pain. To develop a discharge plan for this patient, one requires to consider the management strategies of high blood pressure to reduce the chances for readmission. In the discharge plan, the health professional should include the medications to take at home. For example, in our case study, the following medication will be provided: Ciprofloxacin 500mg/tab 1-tab BID for 7 days, Asprin 80mg/tab 1-tab OD after lunch, irbesartan 150 mg/cap 1cap OD in the morning and Gabapentin 100 mg/cap 1 cap TID. This strategy is to treat the disease but there is need to include preventive strategies. 

One of the core preventive and control strategy of high blood pressure is exercise which reduces the risk of heart disease. Some of exercise to include in the discharge plan include stretching which is advised to stretch the arms and legs before and after exercise to reduce muscle strain and injury. The second exercise is aerobic or cardiovascular exercises which is beneficial, in strengthening the lungs, the heart and that improves the use of oxygen in the body. It is beneficial for this patient as it will improve his breathing, reduce blood pressure and heart rate. As a health professional it is crucial to identify areas that the patient can increase their level of exercise. For example, encourage them to use stairs instead of elevator, parking at the farthest end of the parking lot or getting off the bus one or two stops earlier. 

The discharge plan will include the date when the patient should visit the health facility for check-ups. During control and management of blood pressure, the discharge plan will include some of the foods to eat and what food to avoid. For example, it is important to explain to the client the significance of eating food with low cholesterol levels. While at home, the patient may require performing frequent blood pressure checks thus training them on ways to interpret the readings and provide him with the equipment. Lastly as stated by Brown (2018) it is essential to indicate what one should do in case they have questions or in emergency.

References

Brown, M. (2018). Transitions of Care. Chronic Illness Care, 369-373. doi: 10.1007/978-3-319-71812-5_30

Sexson, K., Lindauer, A., & Harvath, T. (2017). Discharge Planning and Teaching Educating family caregivers on ways to prevent drug-related problems. AJN, 117(5).