CHS CHS Lifestyle Modifications & Non-Pharmacological Interventions 2 — Questions and Answers
Question 1: The DASH diet's blood pressure-lowering effect is primarily attributed to its high content of which minerals?
- Potassium, calcium, and magnesium (Correct answer)
- Sodium, chloride, and phosphorus
- Iron, zinc, and copper
- Selenium, iodine, and manganese
Correct answer: Potassium, calcium, and magnesium
The DASH diet lowers blood pressure largely through its high content of potassium, calcium, and magnesium, which counteract the pressor effects of sodium.
Question 2: For a hypertensive patient who smokes, how does smoking cessation affect blood pressure?
- It has no direct effect on resting blood pressure (Correct answer)
- It significantly lowers resting blood pressure within weeks
- It temporarily increases blood pressure before lowering it
- It only helps if combined with weight loss
Correct answer: It has no direct effect on resting blood pressure
While smoking does not directly cause chronic hypertension, cessation dramatically reduces overall cardiovascular risk and prevents acute blood pressure spikes from nicotine.
Question 3: Which type of resistance training is generally recommended alongside aerobic exercise for hypertensive patients?
- Dynamic resistance training (moderate weights, higher reps) (Correct answer)
- Isometric resistance only
- Heavy powerlifting
- No resistance training is recommended
Correct answer: Dynamic resistance training (moderate weights, higher reps)
Dynamic resistance training using moderate weights and higher repetitions is recommended as a complement to aerobic exercise for blood pressure management.
Question 4: A patient with stage 1 hypertension and no target organ damage chooses to try lifestyle changes before medication. What is the recommended observation period before reassessing the need for pharmacotherapy?
- 3–6 months (Correct answer)
- 1–2 weeks
- 12–18 months
- Only 1 month
Correct answer: 3–6 months
For stage 1 hypertension without target organ damage, a 3–6 month trial of lifestyle modifications is appropriate before initiating pharmacotherapy.
Question 5: Which dietary mineral is specifically associated with blunting sodium-induced blood pressure rises and is encouraged to increase in hypertensive patients?
- Potassium (Correct answer)
- Calcium
- Magnesium
- Phosphorus
Correct answer: Potassium
Potassium blunts the pressor effects of sodium and promotes natriuresis, making it the most important dietary mineral for counteracting sodium-related blood pressure elevation.
Question 6: What blood pressure reduction is typically expected from adopting the DASH diet alone in hypertensive individuals?
- 8–14 mmHg systolic reduction (Correct answer)
- 1–2 mmHg systolic reduction
- 20–25 mmHg systolic reduction
- Less than 1 mmHg change
Correct answer: 8–14 mmHg systolic reduction
Clinical trials demonstrate that adopting the full DASH diet typically produces an 8–14 mmHg reduction in systolic blood pressure in hypertensive individuals.
CHS CHS Lifestyle Modifications & Non-Pharmacological Interventions 2
The DASH diet's blood pressure-lowering effect is primarily attributed to its high content of which minerals?