Which assessment finding would prompt the nurse to withhold a scheduled dose of oral atenolol? Select all that apply.

Atenolol is a beta-adrenergic blocker commonly used in the management of hypertension and angina. When assessing whether to administer atenolol, significant consideration is given to the patient's hemodynamic status, specifically blood pressure and heart rate.

A blood pressure reading of 88/49 mm Hg indicates hypotension, which falls below the normal threshold for maintaining adequate perfusion to vital organs. Administering atenolol in this case could exacerbate the existing hypotension, potentially leading to serious complications such as dizziness, fainting, or shock due to inadequate blood flow.

A heart rate of 54 beats per minute is also a critical finding. Atenolol can further decrease heart rate due to its mechanism of action, which might lead the patient to experience bradycardia or related symptoms. Therefore, a heart rate this low would necessitate careful assessment of the patient’s condition before proceeding with the medication.

Both the diastolic blood pressure of 50 mm Hg and an oxygen saturation of 90% are also concerning from a clinical perspective; however, the most immediate risk for withholding atenolol lies in the findings of significant hypotension and bradycardia, which directly impact cardiac output and the overall safety of the