Before administering metoprolol, what does the nurse need to check?

Before administering metoprolol, it's essential for the nurse to check the blood pressure. Metoprolol is a beta-blocker that primarily affects the cardiovascular system by reducing heart rate and myocardial contractility. This can lead to decreased blood pressure. Therefore, it is crucial to assess the patient's blood pressure prior to administration to ensure it is at a safe level, as administering the medication when the blood pressure is already low may lead to further hypotension.

Monitoring blood pressure helps in determining whether metoprolol is appropriate for the patient at that moment, and allows for an evaluation of the drug's effectiveness in managing conditions such as hypertension or heart failure. While pain rating, respirations, and temperature are important assessments in various clinical contexts, they are not directly related to the risk of complications that could arise from administering betablockers like metoprolol.