Is it ok give the patient water when they are having hypertension emergency

BrnEyedGirl, BSN, MSN, RN, APRN · Apr 11, 2012

Did the doctor write an order for water?

GitanoRN, BSN, MSN, RN · Apr 11, 2012

certainly, i would definitely need an order from the patient physician for me to offer the pt. water. having said that, my reason behind this is because in some cases a huge water intake is restricted especially in hypertensive pts. with edema. however, i would offer them an ice cube in place of the water, while i get the doctor's confirmation for water.

Anna Flaxis, BSN, RN · Apr 11, 2012

BP of 180/101 doesn't necessarily qualify as a hypertensive emergency. It depends upon what other signs and symptoms are occurring associated with it. If the person were suspected of having a hemorrhagic stroke or a possible surgical intervention were anticipated, then of course the person would be NPO. JUST because the blood pressure is elevated is not an indication that they should be NPO. I might limit their water intake, but I don't see why they should be denied sips of water if they're thirsty. If you're super worried about it, you could limit them to ice chips. And of course, you could always double check with the doctor when you call them about the high blood pressure.

zofran · Apr 11, 2012

Removed my comment...sorry.

MunoRN, RN · Apr 11, 2012

As Stargazer said, true hypertensive crisis is more than just BP. While volume status often correlates to BP, hypertensive crisis can occur when a patient hypervolemic, hypovolemic, or euvolemic so sipping some water isn't necessarily contraindicated and may have no clinically significant effect at all.

I would definitely advise the patient of the MD's orders for PO water, and educate them about the purpose of an NPO order for treatment purposes, but in the end you can't keep a competent patient from drinking water.