Question

IV sodium nitroprusside is ordered for a patient with acute pulmonary edema. During the first

hours of administration, the nurse will need to titrate the nitroprusside rate down if the patient
develops
a. ventricular ectopy.
b. a dry, hacking cough.
c. a systolic BP below 90 mm Hg.
d. a heart rate below 50 beats/min.

Answer 1

The nurse needs to lower the rate of IV sodium nitroprusside if the patient's systolic BP falls below 90 mm Hg, as this drug is used to manage hypertensive crises and prevent heart failure.

Step-by-step explanation:

During the administration of IV sodium nitroprusside for a patient with acute pulmonary edema, the nurse should titrate the nitroprusside rate down if the patient develops a systolic BP below 90 mm Hg. Sodium nitroprusside is used as an IV drip to manage hypertensive crises and to lower blood pressure to prevent heart failure. Monitoring the patient's blood pressure is critical because if the BP falls too low, it can lead to inadequate perfusion of vital organs and potentially serious complications.