The nurse obtains a prescription for furosemide 40 mg IV for a client who has pulmonary congestion as the result of fluid volume overload. The nurse assesses the vital signs to be T-98.6, P-110, RR-24 and BP-90/60. What is the most appropriate action at this time?
Explanation & Rationale
A) Withhold the dose and reassess the blood pressure in 30 minutes: Given that the client's blood pressure is 90/60, which indicates hypotension, withholding the furosemide is the safest initial action. Administering a diuretic in the context of low blood pressure could exacerbate the hypotensive state, potentially leading to further complications. It is prudent to reassess the blood pressure before proceeding with the medication. B) Administer the medication and notify the healthcare provider of the blood pressure: Administering furosemide despite the hypotensive reading may pose significant risks to the client. While notifying the healthcare provider is important, the immediate priority should be to ensure the client's safety by withholding the medication until the blood pressure can be reassessed. C) Administer the dose and continue to monitor the vital signs: This approach is not advisable due to the low blood pressure. Administering the medication without addressing the hypotension could lead to a further drop in blood pressure and increase the risk of adverse effects such as dizziness or syncope. D) Call the healthcare provider to obtain an order for oral furosemide: While oral furosemide may be a reasonable alternative, the priority is to manage the client's current hypotensive state. The immediate action should focus on reassessing the blood pressure and ensuring the client is stable before considering alternative routes of medication administration.