Should I call the doctor for a BP of 175/72?

[moonshawdow]

I always thought it was to call doctors if over 180?  Am I wrong and giving my patient bad care? 

[calisss]

On 3/15/2021 at 11:49 AM, moonshawdow said:

This was 330 am vitals went to recheck but pt was sleeping so didn't retake.  pt was asymptomatic. No PRN orders but had been given 2 nights before a one time dose of PRN hydralazine. He had morning lisinapril due at 8am so just passed on to morning shift. I feel now I should not of just passed it on and called the doctor but usually there is a policy to only call them if it is over 180 but im new to this hospitals policy. Was I completely wrong for holding off? Would like to be better for the future if I was wrong? ....

If the pt BP was very high you recheck it even if they're asleep, they can always go back to sleep you know, I wouldn't have left my shift without rechecking and or at least administering their AM dose of Lisinopril

[Kooky Korky, BSN, RN]

On 3/16/2021 at 6:06 PM, moonshawdow said:

You are extremely rude, there are most certainly vital signs orders for when to call the doctor, don't know what kinda hospital you work at but I Have been traveling for 3 years and this is the first hospital I have seen that did not have standing vital signs orders of calling med if systolic BP greater than 180 heart rate greater then 100 or less then 50 fever of over 38.5 RR greater then 30 ETC  I have mostly worked at level 1 traumas. This pt was asymptomatic had bp in the 180s the night before but the doctor only order a one time does no PRN I wasent worried but another nurse made me question my experience and I went and ask the charge nurse what the policy was ofcourse if I was worried I would of called. I think you need more experience on floors at other hospitals 

Who are you talking to?

I wish you had related all this info in your first post.

As others have said, you have to look at the totality of the case.  Re-check, read the chart to see what the BP has been like, take into account whatever the protocol is at the particular facility - but not to the exclusion of your own instincts and gut feelings or just plain common sense.