A 73-Year-Old Man Receives Hydralazine (Apresoline) 20 Mg PO at 0800

Multiple Choice

A 73-year-old man receives hydralazine (Apresoline) 20 mg PO at 0800. When the nurse checks his blood pressure at 0900, she obtains a reading of 72/44 mm Hg. The client has been taking this same dose of medication for 3 years. The nurse finds all of the following data in the client's chart. Identify the finding that is most significant for producing the client's current blood pressure.

A) Pedal pulses 1 + and weak
B) 24-hour fluid intake 1000 mL - 3 days
C) Serum potassium 3.3 mEq/L
D) Apical pulse 150 BPM, slightly irregular