Nursing Students General Students
Published Feb 22, 2004
nocturne716
31 Posts
Starting the day, you usually take vitals.
Some drugs you might not give depending on certain vitals (BP-lasix)...do you take BP again right before med admin. or do you rely on the morning result?
Marie_LPN, RN, LPN, RN
12,126 Posts
Always take BP before, along with apical pulse, things can always change between the time vitals were taken, and the time the med is to be given.
For lasix, you also check the person's weight.
Thanks for the info, did not know about the weight. Why would you not give lasix (for weight?) Something to do with fluid volume status--decreased as evidenced by dry mouth, thirst, etc?
A person tends to gain weight when they retain fluid. The MD usually sets the guideline on when to give the lasix.
Tweety, BSN, RN
34,354 Posts
In our unit the vitals are taken at 8am or 8pm and meds are due by 9pm. I go with the vitals that the cna took. As a student you might want to take the bp right before you get it, but in the real world when you have your whole assignment on cardiac meds you are going to go with the am vitals, otherwise why bother with the AM vitals at all. Only if the bp is out of range do I take it again. Follow your instructors instructions, I'm just telling you what I do and the nurses on my unit do. :)
Correct about the apical pulse. Many antiarrhythmics need the apical pulse taken prior to administration.