A 67-yr-old woman with hypertension is admitted to the emergency department with a blood pressure of 234/148 mm Hg and was started on nitroprusside (Nitropress). After one hour of treatment, the mean arterial blood pressure (MAP) is 55 mm Hg. Which nursing action is a priority?
- Start an infusion of 0.9% normal saline at 100 mL/hr.
- Maintain the current administration rate of the nitroprusside.
- Request insertion of an arterial line for accurate blood pressure monitoring.
- Stop the nitroprusside infusion and assess the patient for potential complications.