You Got No Rhythm
Abnormalities in cardiac conduction resulting in an irregular heart rhythm is called a...
dysrhythmia/arrhythmia
When providing education to a client being discharged on furosemide, the nurse will let them know that it is best to take the medication when...
In the morning
A client is brought to the ER per ambulance. The client looks pale and is diaphoretic. The vital signs read: HR 40, BP 70/30, RR 28, SpO2 90% on room air, temp 97.8 F. What drug does the nurse anticipate an order for? If the BP was 120/78, (the rest of the vital signs unchanged), what drug would be anticipated?
What is norepinephrine; atropine
A client is prescribed captopril. The nurse provides education on what potential side/adverse effects?
What are: dry cough, hypotension, GI symptoms (N/V/D/C), Angioedema, Agranulocytosis
A nurse is preparing to give a presentation on the many uses of epinephrine. What are the different uses the nurse should include in the presentation?
What are: first line drug for cardiac arrest and anaphylactic reaction, given as an IV drip in shock, mixed with lidocaine for post-op pain management
A client in uncontrolled Atrial Fibrillation is at high risk for what health alteration? What is typically the medication that will be prescribed for the atrial fib?
What is: Stroke; Diltiazem
To ensure optimal and consistent absorption, the nurse teaches the client to take their daily Tamsulosin dose when?
What is 30 minutes after the same meal each day
Atorvastatin is best absorbed when given at what time of day?
evening/night
Should the nurse anticipate holding the metoprolol if the client's heart rate is 58 and BP is 170/90? What is the medication ordered was losartan - would it be held with those vital signs?
What is: yes to holding metoprolol; no to holding losartan
A client with newly diagnosed with Alzheimer's Disease has been prescribed donepezil. Why does the nurse teach the client that it is best to take that medication at bedtime?
What is: To minimize gastrointestinal upset and prevent dangerous falls due to dizziness, nurses instruct clients to take this medication at this time of day.
A client is receiving an infusion of amiodarone for atrial fibrillation. What needs to be prioritized during this infusion?
monitoring heart rate and blood pressure
A 58-year-old client with resting hypertension (158/92 mmHg) is prescribed oral hydrochlorothiazide. One month into therapy, the patient presents with fatigue, nausea, vomiting, and "soft" muscles. Their serum potassium level is checked and found to be low (3.3 mEq/L). What key nursing education point should have been provided to prevent this specific electrolyte imbalance?
What is Instructing the client to consume potassium-rich foods (e.g., bananas, spinach, potatoes).
A client can take nitroglycerin every ___1___ minutes for up to ___2___ doses?
1. 5
2. 3
A nursing student is learning about the medication atropine. Why is this medication utilized both during end of life comfort care and given pre-operatively?
What is that it dries up secretions.
A client receiving Warfarin comes to the emergency department for bleeding. What laboratory test does the nurse anticipate checking?
What is PT/INR
These classifications of antihypertensive medication are NOT safe to take during pregnancy.
ACE (Angiotensin converting enzyme) Inhibitors and ARBs (Angiotensin II receptor blockers)
How does the nurse know the newly prescribed diuretic is working?
decrease in weight, increase in urine output, decreased edema, decreased BP, improved lung sounds
The nurse is educating a client started on a statin about the possibility of the adverse effects called myopathy and rhabdomyolysis. The nurse explains that myopathy and rhabdomyolysis are...
muscle pain/weakness/a serious condition where muscle tissue rapidly breaks down, potentially leading to kidney damage
If the nurse needed to give an antiplatelet drug, what options would there be? What if an anticoagulant was needed? Which ones have labs that determine how quickly they clot blood associated with them?
What are: Acetylsalicylic acid and Clopidogrel (antiplatelet); Heparin, enoxaparin, warfarin, rivaroxaban (anticoagulants); Heparin = aPTT, warfarin = PT/INR
A client comes in for a hypertensive crisis with a BP of 188/105. He is given captopril and his BP is now 141/ 89. The CNA informs the nurse that the client is not feeling well. When the nurse enters the room and ask the client how he is feeling, he answers but his words are slurred and he complains of tingling in his left arm. The nurse anticipates the provider will order which medication?
What is Alteplase
A client is receiving digoxin to treat their atrial fibrillation that had led to heart failure. Does digoxin aid with both of those diagnoses? What are the signs and symptoms of toxicity?
What is: Yes, it can aid with both; s/s may include: Headache, nausea, vomiting, visual changes/hallucinations, delirium, bradycardia.
A client taking hydrochlorothiazide is found to have hypokalemia. If this client is concurrently taking digoxin for heart failure, why is this electrolyte imbalance a critical priority?
What is: Hypokalemia significantly increases the risk of digoxin toxicity and dangerous cardiac arrhythmias.
A nurse is patient-teaching about the newly prescribed medication hydralazine. The nurse includes these possible side/adverse effects of the medication.
hypotension, palpitations, edema to extremities, lightheadedness/dizziness, tremors, numbness, tingling, disorientation, headache, nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, lupus.
A client comes in with hypertensive crisis with a BP of 188/105. They are given enalapril and their BP is now 141/ 89. The CNA informs the nurse that the client is not feeling well. When the nurse enters the room and ask the client how they are feeling, they answer but their words are slurred and they complain of tingling in left arm. The nurse anticipates the provider will order what medication?
Alteplase
A client on donepezil is comes to the ER complaining of lacrimation, diarrhea, vomiting and excessive sweating. 1. What does the nurse expect the client is experiencing? 2. What drug does the nurse anticipate receiving an order for?
What is: 1. Cholinergic Crisis; 2. Atropine