Advance Nurse Practitioner Hypertension Management

Abstract

In recent years, the US health care delivery system has evolved from primary care treatment of acute medical illness to management of chronic conditions. Parallel to this change, nurse practitioners (NPs) presence in primary care setting is increasing especially in the chronic disease management (Watts et al., 2009). Considering that NPs are in the forefront of disease prevention and management among adults, they must demonstrate excellent clinical performance and improve patient outcomes. Studies have shown that NPs provide safe, efficient, cost-effective, and high-quality health care. Despite of this, some medical organizations, lawmakers, and health consumers are still wary of the NPs effective practice (Bauer, 2010). This resulted to limitations posed on NPs’ scope of practice throughout the country.

Hypertension is one of the prevalent conditions encountered in primary care settings. A review of studies that examined practices of NPs specific to hypertension management showed that NPs effectively managed this condition with or without physician collaboration. This review provided support to advance full authority and scope of practice for all NPs in the country.

Keywords: Hypertension management, nurse practitioner, advance practice nurse, nurse-led hypertension management, primary care