Managing hypertension in patients with stroke. Are you prepared for labetalol infusion?

As community hospitals adopt comprehensive stroke pathways, nurses in critical care areas must prepare for each possible complication. Although the thrombolytic component of a new stroke protocol may receive the most attention, the various details of the pathway--in this case, management of blood pressure--should not be overlooked. Critical care nurses who appreciate the considerations for treatment of hypertension and who can correctly and efficiently administer intravenous labetalol may save precious time and enhance outcomes for patients with stroke who have hypertension.