The nurse prepares to administer diltiazem (Cardizem LA) to an older adult with ischemic heart disease. When is the optimum time to administer this medication to help prevent complications of heart disease associated with rhythmical variations?

Question

a. Midday
b. At bedtime
c. At breakfast
d. Every 4 hours

Answer 1

B

Feedback
A Incorrect. Midday administration is a less advantageous time for the medication administration because the main period of drug activity will occur in the even-ing.
B Correct. Diltiazem is a calcium-channel blocker used for hypertension, heart rate control, and angina from ischemic heart disease. To take advantage of rhyth-mical variations in heart disease, the best time to administer long-acting diltia-zem (Cardizem LA) is at bedtime because the medication will be active in the early morning hours, when a cardiovascular event is most likely to take place.
C Incorrect. Morning administration is too late for administration because morning administration misses the critical period around 4 and 5 AM.
D Incorrect. Administration of Cardizem LA every 4 hours is contraindicated be-cause it is a long-acting formulation meant to be administered once daily.