The Collaborative Role of the Perioperative Nurse Practitioner in Assessing Perioperative Patients

One of the leading causes of death in the United States is coronary heart disease (CHD). Hypertension (HTN) also known to the general public, as high blood pressure has long been a risk factor associated with CHD. Hypertension affects 50–60 million Americans and is the second most common reason for office visits (Huffstutler, 2000). It is very important for a Perioperative Nurse Practitioner (PONP) to complete a thorough history and physical preoperatively to screen for HTN and avoid possible intraoperative and postoperative complications. A case study and guidelines for hypertension will be discussed in the article as well as the role of the perioperative nurse practitioner practicing in the orthopaedic perioperative setting.