Before giving any cardiac medication, assess the patient's blood pressure and heart rate first. NCLEX questions often test whether you'll jump to administering the drug or pause to check vitals. Assessment comes before action.
Here is a key nursing assessment to know for the NCLEX Anytime you are giving a cardiac medication, always remember to assess the patient's blood pressure and their heart rate before you give that medication. So on the NCLEX or in your nursing school exams, what you'll see is these questions will ask you this patient has a cardiac disorder, what is your first priority? And they'll want you to give a cardiac medication now. Oftentimes students will choose giving that cardiac med. However, you want to make sure that you assess your patient first. Always assess their blood pressure and their heart rate before giving a cardiac medication. You can find all these med surg flashcards inside the nursing SOS shop.
