Which action or precaution is most important for the nurse to perform before giving any type of drug for hypertension?
a. Check the patient's blood pressure.
b. Ensure that the patient is in a sitting position.
c. Check the patient's pulse for regularity.
d. Have the patient drink a full glass of water.
A
Drugs that lower blood pressure can make a normal pressure too low and can make a low blood pressure worse. Checking the patient's blood pressure before giving a drug ensures that the pa-tient is not hypotensive at the time he or she receives the drug. Some drugs can change the body's electrolyte concentration so much that an irregular heart rate can occur; however, all an-tihypertensive drugs can lower blood pressure.
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