The nurse is preparing to administer the prescribed dose of nadolol to a client diagnosed with hypertension. What action should the nurse I take immediately before administering the dose?

A. A client with benign prostatic hyperplasia: Terazosin is an alpha-1 adrenergic blocker that relaxes smooth muscle in the prostate and bladder neck, improving urine flow and reducing symptoms of BPH such as urinary hesitancy and incomplete bladder emptying.

B. A client with a history of syncope: Terazosin can cause orthostatic hypotension, especially with the first dose, increasing the risk of dizziness and fainting. Administering it to a client prone to syncope could exacerbate this risk.

C. A client with fluid volume deficit: Hypovolemia can intensify the blood pressure–lowering effects of terazosin, increasing the likelihood of symptomatic hypotension and falls. Careful assessment and correction of fluid status are necessary before administration.

D. A client with hypotension: Terazosin lowers blood pressure by vasodilation. Administering it to a client who already has hypotension could cause severe hypotensive episodes, dizziness, or shock.

• Sit down after taking nitroglycerin: Nitroglycerin causes rapid vasodilation, which can lead to a sudden drop in blood pressure shortly after administration. Sitting or lying down helps reduce the risk of dizziness, syncope, and falls during this period. This instruction is especially important because sublingual nitroglycerin acts quickly.

• Hypotension: Nitroglycerin relaxes vascular smooth muscle, leading to decreased preload and afterload. This vasodilatory effect can cause orthostatic or systemic hypotension, particularly with the first dose. Monitoring and education focus on preventing complications related to low blood pressure, such as lightheadedness or fainting.