A client with cardiac rhythm disturbance is hospitalized during the initial stage of antidysrhythmic therapy. What is the best explanation to the client about the need for hospitalization?

Question

1. High dosages of medication will have to be administered.
2. Continual ECG monitoring will be necessary.
3. The safety margin of dosing is very narrow.
4. The client will be able to recover sooner.

Answer 1

3

Rationale 1: High dosages of medication will have to be administered because the difference between the optimal therapeutic dose and the toxic dose is very narrow.
Rationale 2:Continual ECG monitoring will be necessary is incorrect because the client might not be on a continuous ECG monitor.
Rationale 3: The difference between the optimal therapeutic dose and the toxic dose is very narrow. As such, antidysrhythmic medications have the potential to correct dysrhythmias, but they also have the ability to worsen or even create new dysrhythmias. Often, the client is hospitalized during the initial stage so that the optimum dose can be accurately determined.
Rationale 4:The client will be able to recover sooner is incorrect because the client is often hospitalized during the initial stage so that the optimum dose can be accurately determined.

Global Rationale: The difference between the optimal therapeutic dose and the toxic dose is very narrow. As such, antidysrhythmic medications have the potential to correct dysrhythmias, but they also have the ability to worsen or even create new dysrhythmias. Often, the client is hospitalized during the initial stage so that the optimum dose can be accurately determined.