Anticholinergics
What is Atropine used for?
Symptomatic Bradycardia
List an indication and nursing responsibility for administering Amiodarone.
Used for advanced cardiac life support i.e., complex tachycardia and cardiac monitoring is required during administration.
What is Nitroglycerin used for?
It is a vasodilator that reduces preload and oxygen demands on the heart and can be used for stable angina.
If a client is taking a statin drug how can the nurse determine if the treatment is effective?
Lipid lab values
How do inotropics work and give three examples.
They increase cardiac contractility and increase cardiac contractions.
Digoxin, Dopamine, Dobutamine
What are the contraindications for Atropine administration?
Known allergy
Any condition that could be exacerbated by blockade of the parasympathetic nervous system (glaucoma, peptic ulcer, GI obstruction, and myasthenia gravis)
Nursing responsibility when administering antiarrhythmic agents?
Cardiac monitoring
How is Nitroglycerin Administered
Sublingual and after five minutes a second dose can be given.
A total of three doses can be taken, and the patient should be evaluated in the emergency room.
Statin Drugs and Drug & Food Interactions
Fibrates
Erythromycin
Ketoconazole
Grapefruit Juice
What are two risk factors associated with atrial fibrillation?
Pulmonary Embolism and Stroke because there is a risk the clots or emboli will be pumped into the ventricles, then into the lungs or the brain.
What is the maximum dosage for Atropine?
1mg every 3 to 5 min with a maximum dosage of 3mg
Which drugs can be used to treat Supraventricular Tachycardia (SVT)?
Propranolol, procainamide, Digoxin, and Adenosine
Adverse Effect of Nitroglycerin
Hypotension and Headache
What are Fibrates used for?
To lower blood triglyceride levels
List the indication and nursing interventions for administering Digoxin.
Digoxin is an Inotrope which increases cardiac contractility
Used for heart failure
Monitor clients digoxin levels and electrolytes due to the risk of toxicity.
Signs of Toxicity: Nausea, Anorexia, Diarrhea, Visual Disturbances-"Yellow Halos", Arrhythmias, and Malaise.