A nurse in the emergency department is caring for a client who reports a severe headache. The client's blood pressure is 280/160 mm Hg. The nurse should plan to administer which of the following medications?

D. Nitroprusside is the medication of choice for managing hypertensive emergencies such as severe hypertension with end-organ damage (e.g., hypertensive encephalopathy, acute myocardial infarction). It rapidly reduces blood pressure, relieving symptoms such as severe headache and preventing complications associated with severely elevated blood pressureA. Dexamethasone is not indicated for the acute management of severe hypertension. It is typically used for conditions such as inflammation, allergic reactions, or certain neurological conditions. It does not directly lower blood pressure and would not address the urgent need to reduce hypertensive emergency.B. Epinephrine is not used for the treatment of hypertension in adults. It is primarily indicated for severe allergic reactions (anaphylaxis), cardiac arrest, and severe asthma exacerbations. Its use in hypertensive emergencies is not appropriate and could exacerbate hypertension.C Dobutamine is used to increase cardiac output in conditions such as heart failure or cardiogenic shock. It does not have a role in the acute management of severe hypertension and would not address the elevated blood pressure in this scenario.