The nurse should monitor for which potential clinical manifestation after administering furosemide (Lasix)?

Choice A reason: Decreased blood pressure triggers the baroreceptor reflex, increasing sympathetic activity to raise heart rate and vasoconstriction to restore pressure. A decreased heart rate would occur with increased blood pressure, not hypotension, as parasympathetic activation dominates. This choice is incorrect as it opposes the body’s compensatory response to low blood pressure.

Choice B reason: Erythema, or skin redness, results from vasodilation or inflammation, not directly from hypotension. While compensatory vasoconstriction occurs in hypotension, it reduces skin perfusion, potentially causing pallor, not erythema. This manifestation is unrelated to the cardiovascular response to decreased blood pressure, making this choice incorrect.

Choice C reason: Increased temperature is not a direct response to decreased blood pressure. Hypotension triggers sympathetic activation, prioritizing heart rate and vasoconstriction to maintain perfusion. Temperature changes may occur in shock states, but they’re not primary manifestations of routine hypotension, making this choice irrelevant to the expected clinical response.

Choice D reason: Decreased blood pressure activates the baroreceptor reflex, stimulating sympathetic nervous system activity. This increases heart rate (tachycardia) to enhance cardiac output, compensating for low pressure to maintain tissue perfusion. This is a primary physiological response to hypotension, making it the correct clinical manifestation expected in this scenario.

Choice A reason: Questioning why allergies aren’t aren’t in the chart is secondary and confrontational. Clarifying the specific allergy ensures safety, so this is incorrect for the first action.

Choice B reason: Identifying the specific antibiotic and reaction verifies the allergy, preventing anaphylaxis or harm. This is the priority safety step, making it the correct first action.

Choice C reason: Lowering the dose doesn’t address the allergy risk; allergic reactions can occur regardless. Verifying the allergy is critical first, so this is incorrect.

Choice D reason: An antihistamine may mitigate mild reactions but doesn’t confirm the allergy. Clarifying the allergy prevents unsafe administration, so this is incorrect for the first step.