Before administering esmolol, which vital sign should the nurse check?

The recommended vital sign to check before administering esmolol is the pulse. Esmolol is a beta-blocker that primarily affects heart rate and contractility. Monitoring the pulse is essential because beta-blockers can lower heart rate, potentially leading to bradycardia, especially if the patient is already experiencing decreased heart rates or if there are other contraindications to its use. By assessing the pulse beforehand, the nurse can ensure it is within an acceptable range. If the heart rate is already low, the nurse may need to withhold the medication and consult with a physician.

Other vital signs, such as blood pressure, temperature, and respiration rate, are also important in a comprehensive assessment of the patient's condition but are not as directly correlated with the effects of esmolol as pulse evaluation is. High or low blood pressures might affect the overall management of hypertension, but the immediate concern with esmolol lies in its action on heart rate. Therefore, focusing on the pulse allows for better risk management regarding the administration of this medication.