checking BP before giving BP meds?

Yes. You really should check prior to administering meds. Even though some patients have been on those same meds at home for the last 20 years and don't check their own blood pressure prior to giving themselves their meds.....you should still check because the patient is in YOUR care now!

When talking about parameters...you should know whether you are giving a beta blocker versus an ACE inhibitor. ACE's won't affect the heart rate...they only affect the BP. Beta blockers will affect both. So, you need to pay attention to what you are supposed to be giving, and as well as the parameters. If the patient's heart rate is 50, and their BP is 180/90, then call the MD and let him know about it since he is the one who ordered parameters. Most likely, he/she will change the classification of the drug ordered in order to lower the BP without affecting the HR.

By the way....pay close attention to your diuretics as the others have told you! Lasix or Aldactone in combination with a blood pressure medication, could certainly "bottom out" your patient.