Question

The physician has asked you to administer nitroglycerin to your patient. However, the patient's blood pressure is 80/50. Which of the following responses is MOST appropriate?

1) "I refuse to administer nitroglycerin to this patient."
2) "Sorry, doc. I can't hear you. You're breaking up."
3) "Maybe I'm breaking up, doc. Did you hear the blood pressure?"
4) "Received order for nitroglycerin. Did you copy that the patient's blood pressure is 80/50?"

Answer 1

The most appropriate response is to acknowledge the physician's order and repeat the patient's blood pressure, highlighting the potential issue with administering nitroglycerin.

Step-by-step explanation:

The most appropriate response in this situation would be Option 4: "Received order for nitroglycerin. Did you copy that the patient's blood pressure is 80/50?"

Administering nitroglycerin to a patient with a blood pressure of 80/50 can be risky. Nitroglycerin is a medication that primarily relaxes and dilates the blood vessels, leading to a drop in blood pressure. In this case, the patient's blood pressure is already low, so administering nitroglycerin could cause a further drop in blood pressure, potentially resulting in dizziness, lightheadedness, and fainting.

By repeating the patient's blood pressure in your response, you are acknowledging the physician's order and highlighting the potential issue with administering nitroglycerin. This allows the physician to reconsider the decision and provide further instructions or make adjustments if necessary.