A nurse teaches a client who experiences occasional premature atrial contractions (PACs) accompanied by palpitations that resolve spontaneously without treatment. Which statement should the nurse include in this client's teaching?
a. "Minimize or abstain from caffeine."
b. "Lie on your side until the attack subsides."
c. "Use your oxygen when you experience PACs."
d. "Take amiodarone (Cordarone) daily to prevent PACs."
ANS: A
PACs usually have no hemodynamic consequences. For a client experiencing infrequent PACs, the nurse should explore possible lifestyle causes, such as excessive caffeine intake and stress. Lying on the side will not prevent or resolve PACs. Oxygen is not necessary. Although medications may be needed to control symptomatic dysrhythmias, for infrequent PACs, the client first should try lifestyle changes to control them.
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