A patient is admitted with a heart rate of 130 bpm. Which of the following can the nurse do to help this patient?

1. prepare to administer atropine
2. begin an intravenous infusion of dextrose 5% and water
3. assist the patient with ambulation
4. promote a calm environment and prepare to administer medication to treat the cause


4

Rationale: The patient has sinus tachycardia which is defined as a rapid rate, from 100 to 150 bpm. The rapid rate results from sympathetic nervous stimulation and can be in response to fear, increased activity, fever, or pain. Treatment is aimed at relieving the cause of increased sympathetic stimulation and may include imagery, distraction, and promoting a calm environment, as well as drug therapy to treat the cause and might include sedatives, tranquilizers, anti-anxiety agents, analgesics, and antipyretics. Atropine is used to treat sinus bradycardia. There is nothing to indicate that the patient needs an intravenous infusion of dextrose 5% and water started. This patient most likely should not be ambulating with the rapid heart rate.

Nursing

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