A patient with malignant hypertension is being treated in the critical care unit. The physician writes the following order: nitroprusside 50mg in 250mL D 5W to start at 1mcg/kg/min, and titrate up as needed. What is the priority nursing action?
a) Administer the medication as ordered
b) Notify the physician of the order
c) Monitor the patient's blood pressure closely
d) Start an IV line for medication administration