A patient who took an overdose of verapamil has been treated with gastric lavage and a cathartic. The emergency department nurse assesses the patient and notes a heart rate of 50 beats per minute and a blood pressure of 90/50 mm Hg
The nurse will anticipate: a. administering intravenous norepinephrine (NE) and atropine and glucagon.
b. assisting with direct-current (DC) cardi-oversion.
c. placing the patient in an upright position.
d. preparing to administer a beta blocker.
A
Verapamil toxicity can cause bradycardia and hypotension. Atropine and glucagon should be given to treat bradycardia and NE for hypotension. DC cardioversion is indicated for ventricular tachydysrhythmias, which this patient does not have. Patients with hypotension should be placed in Trendelenburg's position. Beta blockers will only exacerbate these effects.
You might also like to view...
While caring for a Mexican-American family in the home, the home health nurse recognizes that the family may also consult the _____________ for health advice
Fill in the blank(s) with correct word
Which societal changes have promoted the nurse's return to school and further education? (Select all that apply.)
1. Patients have increasingly more complex and varied health needs. 2. Previously unknown diseases are being identified. 3. New technologies are being developed that require continual knowledge updates. 4. Patients are staying longer in the hospital. 5. There is a relative increase in the number of children in the population.
A woman who is 42 weeks pregnant comes to the clinic. Which of the following would be most important?
A) Determining an accurate gestational age B) Asking her about the occurrence of contractions C) Checking for spontaneous rupture of membranes D) Measuring the height of the fundus
When awakening the patient, you should
A. call the patient's name from the door. B. shake the patient gently by the shoulder. C. place your hand on the patient's arm and say his name. D. grab the patient's foot and gently turn it side to side.