Qualified Medication Aides (QMA) Practice Exam

What should be monitored weekly when taking an antihypertensive?

1. Heart rate

2. Blood pressure

3. Temperature

4. Respiratory rate

The correct answer is: Blood pressure

Monitoring blood pressure weekly is essential when taking antihypertensive medication because the primary goal of these medications is to lower and manage blood pressure to reduce the risk of cardiovascular events, such as heart attacks and strokes. Regular monitoring allows healthcare providers to assess the effectiveness of the medication, make necessary adjustments to dosages, and ensure that blood pressure remains within the target range. It is crucial for both patient safety and treatment efficacy. While heart rate, temperature, and respiratory rate are important vital signs, they are not the primary focus in the context of antihypertensive therapy. Heart rate may be monitored as well, particularly if the specific medication can affect it, but it does not directly indicate the effectiveness of blood pressure control. Similarly, temperature and respiratory rate serve other diagnostic purposes and are not directly related to managing hypertension. Therefore, the weekly monitoring of blood pressure is the most relevant and important aspect when a patient is on antihypertensive medication.