Blood pressure medications

Nurses Safety

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So basically my patients BP was something like 92/52, and they were scheduled to get a beta blocker (metoprolol), I told the charge nurse, and they said that metoprolol only affects pulse and the blood pressure is not effected, so to give the metoprolol.

I know that beta blockers primarily effect pulse (my patients pulse was in the normal range), but they also have an impact on the blood pressure, (lowered pulse can lower BP indirectly),

so what I am asking is it safe to give metoprolol with low BP, BUT stable pulse?

Im in medical/surgical, I gave the medication because the patient's BP trended on the low side and the blood pressure med was routinely given with the same low BP to this patient.

However I was just confused when the charge said that metoprolol does not effect BP, only pulse.

There really should be a protocol or parameters on this med. The fact that you don't have one seems to me to be unusual.

Given that there are no parameters, you were right to ask for guidance.

Given how poor the guidance the guidance you received was, you were right to be confused.

It is simply irresponsible for this medication to be ordered without parameters. There is a wide range amongst nurse of opinions, but the opinion that matters most is the one of the person who ordered it.

I guess it would be too much to hope that the doctor had written parameters for holding the medication.

Are you allowed to call the doctor and ask or must you go to the Charge Nurse or to your preceptor?

Can you do a quick look-up in your drug book? Consult a pharmacist?

There really should be a protocol or parameters on this med. The fact that you don't have one seems to me to be unusual.

Given that there are no parameters, you were right to ask for guidance.

Given how poor the guidance the guidance you received was, you were right to be confused.

It is simply irresponsible for this medication to be ordered without parameters. There is a wide range amongst nurse of opinions, but the opinion that matters most is the one of the person who ordered it.

It's probably not as unusual as you think. Unfortunately.

Im in medical/surgical, I gave the medication because the patient's BP trended on the low side and the blood pressure med was routinely given with the same low BP to this patient.

However I was just confused when the charge said that metoprolol does not effect BP, only pulse.

How did the patient tolerate the med? What follow-up did you do? What will you do next time?

I would not have given it. Our protocols, whether there are parameters are not by the MD, caution against SBP

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