Which client should a community health nurse focus on most intensely when screening for hypertension?

The client that the community health nurse should focus on most intensely when screening for hypertension is the middle-aged African-American man. This choice is grounded in well-documented epidemiological data indicating that African Americans have a higher prevalence and earlier incidence of hypertension compared to other racial and ethnic groups. This demographic is also at a greater risk for complications associated with hypertension, including heart disease and stroke.

Given these factors, screening and early intervention in this population can lead to better management of hypertension and improved health outcomes. Other groups, such as postmenopausal Caucasian women, also have risk factors for hypertension but the urgency and prevalence are particularly notable in middle-aged African-American males. The nurse’s targeted approach can facilitate timely identification and management of the condition in a population that is disproportionately affected by it.