A patient is prescribed intravenous (IV) adenosine (Adenocard) for treatment of supraventricular tachycardia. Which safety precaution is most important for the nurse to perform before this drug is administered?
a. Bring the crash cart and defibrillator to the patient's bedside.
b. Make sure that all four bed side rails are in the upright position.
c. Place the patient's bed in the lowest position.
d. Continuously monitor blood pressure.
A
Adenosine slows electrical impulse conduction through the AV node. It is always given rapidly by IV push (1 to 2 seconds). After the drug is given, there is usually a very brief period of asys-tole (when the heart stops beating) before the heart resumes a normal rhythm. Because of this, emergency equipment must be available at the patient's bedside before the drug is given.
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