Difficulty: Medium
Average Score: 90%
Simulated
A nurse is preparing to administer propranolol to a client. Which of the following should the nurse assess prior to administering this medication?
Correct answer
D
Rationale
The correct answer is D: Heart rate. Propranolol is a beta-blocker that primarily works by reducing heart rate and blood pressure. Assessing the client's heart rate before administering the medication is crucial to prevent potential complications such as bradycardia or heart block. Temperature (A), respiratory rate (B), and pain level (C) are not directly related to the action or potential side effects of propranolol. Therefore, they are not the priority assessments before administering this medication.