Question

A nurse educator is providing teaching to a client diagnosed with hypertension. When the nurse presents information about smoking cessation, the client states, “I don’t plan to quit unless someone convinces me of the connection between smoking and high blood pressure.” Which information should the nurse present to convince this patient to quit smoking to improve his HTN?
Group of answer choices

Nicotine is a potent vasodilator of coronary arteries

Nicotine increases blood pressure by causing vasoconstriction

Nicotine from smoking causes central nervous system depression

Significant remnants of nicotine remain in the body for 6 to 8 hours

Answer 1

To convince the patient of the connection between smoking and high blood pressure, the nurse should present the information that **nicotine increases blood pressure by causing vasoconstriction**.

This is important because:

- Nicotine causes blood vessels to narrow (vasoconstriction), which increases resistance and leads to elevated blood pressure.
- By explaining this mechanism, the nurse can make it clear how smoking directly affects the client’s hypertension.

Therefore, the correct response is:

**Nicotine increases blood pressure by causing vasoconstriction.**