Question

The patient comes to the emergency department with a blood pressure of 200/120 mmHg. The physician orders hydralazine (Apresoline) IV. What will the nurse's priority assessment include?

1. Hypotension and bradycardia
2. Hypotension and hyperthermia
3. Hypotension and tachycardia
4. Hypotension and tachypnea

Answer 1

The nurse's priority assessment when administering hydralazine IV for high blood pressure will include monitoring for hypotension and tachycardia.

Step-by-step explanation:

The nurse's priority assessment when a patient is receiving intravenous hydralazine (Apresoline) for a blood pressure of 200/120 mmHg would include monitoring for hypotension and tachycardia.

Hydralazine is a vasodilator that works by relaxing the smooth muscles in blood vessels, resulting in a decrease in blood pressure. However, it can also cause a drop in blood pressure, which can lead to hypotension. Additionally, hydralazine can cause reflex tachycardia, where the heart rate increases in response to the drop in blood pressure.