When to give hydralazine?

[nurs1ng]

Question... when do I actually give hydrazine? I know that in textbooks, they say that normal BP is 120/80...

And in my hospital, there is no parameter for when to give BP meds except for this simple statement: "For SBP > 100"... but even then, that parameter isn't very helpful.

So when should I give hydralazine to a patient? 20+ systolic points over their baseline SBP, maybe?

Thanks for any answer!

[AndyBRN]

By nursing standards, the order written by the physicians must have parameters for giving and/or holding the medication. Typically, I have seen Hydralazine given if SBP is greater to or equal to 160. However, this must be indicated by the order parameters by the physician.

Hope this helps!

[K+MgSO4, BSN]

Is it PRN or regular?

[FlorenceFrightengale]

Are you asking when to hold a scheduled dose of Hydralazine, or when to give a PRN dose?

A lot of people are on PO Hydralazine TID routinely - this order should ideally have hold parameters.

As for a PRN dose, the order should state when to administer. (typically SBP > 160 or 180, depending on the patient and the physician's preference.) I've given PO and IVP Hydralazine PRN.

[nurs1ng]

Is it PRN or regular?

Sorry guys, the hydralazine was a PRN dose

[KelRN215, BSN, RN]

Sorry guys, the hydralazine was a PRN dose

How was the order written? There should be specific parameters, as in "Hydralazine PRN BP greater than 140/100." So you give it when the BP is greater than the parameters specified.

[FlorenceFrightengale]

Sorry guys, the hydralazine was a PRN dose

Then it is not acceptable as an order unless there is a REASON for the PRN. For example, the order "Ativan IV PRN" is not acceptable...as it could be PRN for anxiety, seizure, ETOH withdrawal, even nausea!