The Healthy People 2020 Essay

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The Healthy People 2020 highlights areas of improvement for wellness and education to improve the health of individuals through the prevention of illness and disease leading to death. Screening, early detection and education on hypertension is essential to the prevention of early death and disability among individuals. Hypertension is a common underlying cause of disability and death related to cardiac disease, kidney disease and stroke and is identified as a modifiable risk factor (Wright, DeSalvo, Fleetwood & Coronel-Mockler, 2016). As outlined by Wright, DeSalvo, Fleetwood and Coronel-Mockler (2016), it is essential to raise awareness for individuals regarding the need to control their blood pressure and to offer scientific evidence related …show more content…

This would include, a history and physical exam of the individual to recognize risk factors of hypertension like, family history, obesity, a diet high in sodium and fat, and one’s level of physical activity (Gladding et al., 2015). The physical assessment would require careful attention to identifying signs of hypertension and coronary artery disease. It would also require the advance practice nurse to order labs to assess electrolytes and renal function along with clinical testing like an electrocardiogram to assess for cardiac issues secondary to hypertension (Gladding et al., 2016). Next, diagnosing and prescribing medications suitable for the individual and encouraging frequent assessment of their condition will be necessary. Finally, with the identification of issues beyond the elevated blood pressure, the advanced practice nurse must initiate interdisciplinary care and make referrals for cardiology or nephrology upon identification of complications related to hypertension (Gladding et al.,

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