Meds

[Creak Freak]

I am confused about drugs like propranolol and lopressor. Do they make you lose water or lower your blood pressure? What happens if someone has low blood pressure should we hold the propranolol?

[loriangel14, RN]

Are you a student?

[annieboo444]

They are beta blockers they slow the heart rate down which then decreases blood pressure. Yes always check bp if low hold. I usually hold if it is less than 110 if it goes up later you can always give. And also of hr low don't give.

[CapeCodMermaid, RN]

You need an MD order to hold a med. Not all BP meds require a BP to be taken before it's given. We no longer hold digoxin simply because the apical pulse is less than 60.

[missnurse89]

I would just freshen up on different BP meds. It's very important to understand how they are affecting the blood pressure as well as the HR and the different classes work a bit differently. Also this way you are more aware of adverse reactions. One should NEVER gve a medicine if they do not understand how it works. Just makes sure to always look it up before you give it if you are not sure.Yes if BP is already low or outside parameters you would hold med and CALL MD to notify of the event. The MD would then give you your next orders for that situation.

[missnurse89]

And you will find some patients are on diuretics for BP depending on the patho of there BP condition. So it really depends on each unique patient and you will likely see a variety of treatment for HTN.

[loriangel14, RN]

You need an MD order to hold a med. Not all BP meds require a BP to be taken before it's given. We no longer hold digoxin simply because the apical pulse is less than 60.

Tthis varies by facility. I don't have to get an order to hold a BP med.

[Creak Freak]

I am an Lpn but I don't always understand what I read

[casi, ASN, RN]

Creak Freak you really need to brush up on your BP medications. Being an LPN isn't an excuse to not understand what you are giving. BP medications can be very dangerous and if you don't understand how and what they effect you can hurt someone.

For holding medications see what your facility protocol is. For those who have frequent low BPs contact the MD/NP for an order for parameters on when to hold the medication.

[loriangel14, RN]

I am an Lpn but I don't always understand what I read

Being an LPN is no excuse. You need to understand the meds you are giving. For the safety of your patients please educate yourself.

[JBMmom, MSN, NP]

I think the OP is trying to educate herself, she came here with a question because this would be a reasonable place to look for an answer- since we should all know these things. Yes, maybe she could have Googled it or found it somewhere else, but she's using this as a resource. To talk down to her because she didn't know something seems quite condescending from a group of people committed to helping others.

[Sun0408, ASN, RN]

It really depends on the reason why the pt is getting the med. Propanalol also treats portal hypertension in liver pts. Lopressor can be given for tremors. So the reason why is just as important as the pts bp. A SBP less than 90, I question the doc and ask for parameters