Blood pressure meds

[neuron]

Does anyone follow a certain parameter each and every time when administering (PO)? At our facility, many of the patients either have low blood pressure or low pulse, or are on the borderline. If no b/p parameters are ordered, say if b/p is 99/58, would you still give Clonidine, Correg, etc.?

[THELIVINGWORST, ASN, RN]

I would hold it and mention it to the doc. I'm not tanking a bp just because there is no parameter.

[FL_Nurse92]

Use your nursing judgment. Most bp meds won't have a parameter unless you call the doctor and ask for one.

[Rose_Queen, BSN, MSN, RN]

Most bp meds won't have a parameter unless you call the doctor and ask for one.

That's... interesting. My facility has a protocol for BP meds if the ordering provider hasn't provided parameters. Unless otherwise specified, we hold for HR

[loriangel14, RN]

Our standard is HR

[Penelope_Pitstop, BSN, RN]

Unless otherwise specified, we hold for HR

Even for BP meds that don't tend to decrease the HR? Interesting.

[srercg]

nurses always have the right to make a safety call on behalf of the patient - that is a nursing judgment call if there are no policies, or protocols in place - which is really unusual. Generally you will know your dr's that you work with and they will tell you what they think should happen. Most of the dr's and NP's I know say they like to see a systolic of at least 100, and a diastolic no lower than 60 sometimes. And that's the lowest I've seen them go. So if your pt is

[neuron]

Thanks everyone for your response.

[adamRn79, BSN, RN]

I give beta blockers with that bp. It's important to find out what is their normal bp