What assessment should the nurse make before administering beta-adrenergic blocking agents?

A) Increasing GI motility and promoting bowel movements:
Laxatives work by increasing gastrointestinal motility, which stimulates the movement of fecal matter through the intestines. This promotes bowel movements and helps alleviate constipation.

B) Preventing incontinent clients from soiling themselves:
Laxatives are not typically used to prevent incontinence. Their primary function is to relieve constipation by promoting bowel movements.

C) Reducing inflammation in the intestinal lining:
Laxatives do not have a direct effect on reducing inflammation in the intestinal lining. They primarily act on bowel motility to facilitate the passage of stool.

D) Suppressing the immune response that causes inflammation:
Laxatives do not suppress the immune response or treat inflammation. They are specifically designed to relieve constipation by promoting bowel movements."

A) Temperature and respiratory rate:
While monitoring temperature and respiratory rate are important aspects of a comprehensive assessment, they are not the priority assessments before administering metoprolol. Metoprolol is a beta-blocker primarily used to lower heart rate and blood pressure, so assessing the client's heart rate and blood pressure is more relevant.

B) Heart rate and blood pressure:
This is the correct answer. Before administering metoprolol, it is essential to assess the client's heart rate and blood pressure. Metoprolol is a beta-blocker medication that primarily affects heart rate and blood pressure. Monitoring these vital signs helps ensure that the medication is administered safely and effectively.

C) Level of consciousness and pain level:
Assessing the client's level of consciousness and pain level are important aspects of nursing care, but they are not the priority assessments before administering metoprolol. These assessments may be relevant depending on the client's overall condition and specific care needs, but they are not directly related to the action or side effects of metoprolol.

D) Oxygen saturation and respiratory rate:
Monitoring oxygen saturation and respiratory rate are important aspects of respiratory assessment, but they are not the priority assessments before administering metoprolol. While metoprolol can affect respiratory function as a potential side effect, its primary action is on heart rate and blood pressure. Therefore, assessing heart rate and blood pressure are more pertinent before administering this medication.