hydralazine BP range?

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Specializes in tele, stepdown/PCU, med/surg.

Hello!

I'm new at the VA but have been an RN for years. My question is on more than one patient I've seen to give hydralazine if SBP > 150. I've also seen to give hydralazine if SBP >150 and HR

I'm used to higher cutoffs for SBP. I understand that SBP should be lower than 150 but regular control should be obtained with other meds. Is there something I'm missing?

Z

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Specializes in SICU, trauma, neuro.

What kinds of pts are these? I've worked with neuro pts most of my career, and prn hydralazine and labetolol are very common orders. In many cases they need to keep BP down to reduce the risk of rebleeding, and they need results NOW -- not after adjusting maintenance meds and evaluating their efficacy.

I've seen the hydralazine order read "give if HR

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We usually don't give hydralazine unless SBP>160, unless they are a stroke (ischemic) pt then the parameter is anywhere from SBP>180 up to SBP>220. Depends on the pt and the doc doing the orders.

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