The patient receives imipramine (Tofranil) as treatment for depression. He is admitted to the emergency department following an intentional overdose of this medication. What will the priority assessment by the nurse include?
1. The patient's cardiac status
2. The patient's liver function
3. The patient's renal status
4. The patient's neurological function
1
Rationale 1: Tricyclic antidepressants are cardiotoxic. An overdose could result in a fatal dysrhythmia. Cardiac status is the primary assessment.
Rationale 2: Liver function is not the priority assessment.
Rationale 3: Renal function is not the priority assessment.
Rationale 4: Neurologic function may be affected but is not the primary assessment.
Global Rationale: Tricyclic antidepressants are cardiotoxic. An overdose could result in a fatal dysrhythmia. Cardiac status is the primary assessment, not the patient's renal status. Cardiac status is the primary assessment, not the patient's liver function. Cardiac status is the primary assessment, not the patient's neurological function.
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