What nursing action should be taken if a patient on Terbutaline reports a pulse greater than 130 bpm?

When a patient on Terbutaline reports a pulse greater than 130 beats per minute, the appropriate nursing action is to notify the healthcare provider. Terbutaline is a beta-agonist medication commonly used for conditions such as asthma and preterm labor, and one of its known side effects can be an increase in heart rate (tachycardia). A pulse rate above 130 bpm may indicate an adverse reaction or that the medication is having a significant impact on the patient’s cardiovascular system.

Prompt communication with the healthcare provider is essential to assess the patient's condition further and determine if any changes to the treatment plan are needed. The provider can consider factors such as the patient's overall clinical picture and whether dosage adjustments or alternative treatments are warranted. This ensures the patient receives appropriate medical care while managing potential side effects effectively.

Monitoring the patient's heart rate without intervention can lead to complications if the tachycardia is severe or symptomatic, and increasing the dose of Terbutaline could exacerbate the situation. While encouraging the patient to relax may help reduce heart rate in some situations, it does not address the underlying issue of the elevated pulse due to the medication. Therefore, notifying the healthcare provider is the most appropriate action in this scenario.