A client with CHF is prescribed a continuous IV infusion of a vasodilator. The client’s blood pressure has been steadily decreasing over the past hour. What action should the nurse take next?
Encourage the client to change their position to improve circulation before rechecking vital signs.
Contact the healthcare provider to notify them of the client's reaction before taking additional steps.
Check the client’s recent laboratory values to determine the cause of the blood pressure drop.
Adjust the infusion rate or pause the medication as indicated by the provider’s order.
The correct action is to adjust the infusion rate or pause the medication as per the provider's order and closely monitor the client. Vasodilators lower blood pressure, and a continued decrease could lead to poor perfusion or shock if not addressed promptly. This approach aligns with safe titration of medication based on ongoing assessments. Incorrect actions, such as contacting the provider before intervening, fail to prioritize the nurse's immediate responsibility to stabilize the client according to the provider’s existing orders. Repositioning the client would not directly address hypotension caused by medication, and checking laboratory values does not immediately resolve the critical issue of a dangerously low blood pressure.
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