What is the priority nursing diagnosis for a patient prescribed metoprolol (Lopressor)?

Choice A reason: Deficient knowledge is relevant but not the priority. Metoprolol’s beta-blocker effects, which slow heart rate and lower blood pressure, pose a more immediate risk to cardiac perfusion. Education is secondary to ensuring physiological stability, making this choice less urgent. Choice B reason: Risk for injury due to adverse effects like dizziness is a concern with metoprolol, but it is less critical than cardiac perfusion risks. Injuries from falls are secondary to the drug’s primary effect on heart function, making this choice lower priority. Choice C reason: Metoprolol, a beta-blocker, reduces heart rate and contractility, potentially decreasing cardiac output and coronary perfusion. This poses a risk for decreased cardiac tissue perfusion, especially in patients with cardiovascular disease, making it the priority diagnosis due to its life-threatening potential. Choice D reason: Acute confusion is a rare side effect of metoprolol and not a primary concern. Central nervous system effects are less common than cardiovascular impacts, which directly affect perfusion and are more critical, making this choice incorrect.