A 67-year-old client has been diagnosed with atrial fibrillation. After receiving treatment, the client is going home from the hospital with a prescription for medication to control the condition. What information would the nurse provide to best educate the client about this condition? Select all that apply.

Question

a. The client will need to monitor for signs of bleeding
b. The client can take herbal remedies but should not take vitamin supplements
c. The client should be familiar with signs and symptoms of stroke
d. The client should notify the healthcare provider if they will be traveling
e. The client should avoid grapefruit and grapefruit juice

Answer 1

a. The client will need to monitor for signs of bleeding
c. The client should be familiar with signs and symptoms of stroke
e. The client should avoid grapefruit and grapefruit juice
rationale: "The client will need to monitor for signs of bleeding", "The client should avoid grapefruit and grapefruit juice" and "The client should be familiar with signs and symptoms of stroke" are all correct. Atrial fibrillation occurs when the atria quiver, causing an atrial heart rate of up to 360-600 beats per minute. This rapid movement can prevent the atria from filling with enough blood to then fill the ventricles, and the client's cardiac output is affected. Atrial quiver puts the client at a high risk of blood clots, so prescription anticoagulants may be prescribed, as well as medications to control rhythm, such as beta blockers or calcium channel blockers. The nurse should teach this client to monitor for signs of bleeding, avoid grapefruit juice if taking calcium channel blockers, and be familiar with potential complications of the medication.