Which physiological response will the nurse expect to assess in patients taking hydralazine (Apresoline), which is a vasodilator medication?

Choice A reason: This is not what will happen when a person is hypotensive. Baroreceptors are sensory receptors that detect changes in blood pressure. When a person is hypotensive, the baroreceptors are more active, not less, and they send signals to the brain to increase the blood pressure.

Choice B reason: This is what will happen when a person is hypotensive. SNS stands for sympathetic nervous system, which is the part of the autonomic nervous system that prepares the body for fight or flight response. When a person is hypotensive, the SNS is activated to increase the heart rate, contractility, and vasoconstriction, which all raise the blood pressure.

Choice C reason: This is not what will happen when a person is hypotensive. Person will be bradycardic means that the person will have a slow heart rate, usually below 60 beats per minute. When a person is hypotensive, the opposite will happen, as the heart rate will increase to compensate for the low blood pressure.

Choice D reason: This is not what will happen when a person is hypotensive. SNS is suppressed means that the sympathetic nervous system is inhibited or reduced in activity. When a person is hypotensive, the SNS is not suppressed, but rather stimulated, to increase the blood pressure.

Choice A reason: This is the correct instruction by the nurse. Nausea and vomiting are signs of digoxin toxicity, which can be life-threatening. The patient should report these symptoms to their health care provider as soon as possible and have their digoxin level checked.

Choice B reason: This is not a correct instruction by the nurse. Auditory hallucinations are not common adverse effects of digoxin. They are more likely to occur with other drugs, such as antipsychotics or opioids.

Choice C reason: This is not a correct instruction by the nurse. Decreasing the amount of high-potassium foods can increase the risk of digoxin toxicity, as potassium competes with digoxin for binding sites on the cardiac cells. The patient should maintain a normal potassium intake and avoid sudden changes in their diet.

Choice D reason: This is not a correct instruction by the nurse. Omitting the dose of digoxin if the pulse is 70 can lead to underdosing and ineffective treatment of heart failure. The patient should only omit the dose of digoxin if their pulse is below 60, as this indicates bradycardia, which is another sign of digoxin toxicity.