After assessing a client who is receiving an amiodarone intravenous infusion for unstable ventricular tachycardia, the nurse documents the findings and compares these with the previous assessment findings:

Question

Vital Signs
Nursing Assessment
Time: 0800
Temperature: 98 ° F
Heart rate: 68 beats/min
Blood pressure: 135/60 mm Hg
Respiratory rate: 14 breaths/min
Oxygen saturation: 96%
Oxygen therapy: 2 L nasal cannula

Time: 1000
Temperature: 98.2 ° F
Heart rate: 50 beats/min
Blood pressure: 132/57 mm Hg
Respiratory rate: 16 breaths/min
Oxygen saturation: 95%
Oxygen therapy: 2 L nasal cannula
Time: 0800
Client alert and oriented.
Cardiac rhythm: normal sinus rhythm.
Skin: warm, dry, and appropriate for race.
Respirations equal and unlabored.
Client denies shortness of breath and chest pain.

Time: 1000
Client alert and oriented.
Cardiac rhythm: sinus bradycardia.
Skin: warm, dry, and appropriate for race.
Respirations equal and unlabored.
Client denies shortness of breath and chest pain.
Client voids 420 mL of clear yellow urine.
Based on the assessments, which action should the nurse take?
a.
Stop the infusion and flush the IV.
b.
Slow the amiodarone infusion rate.
c.
Administer IV normal saline.
d.
Ask the client to cough and deep breathe.

Answer 1

ANS: B
IV administration of amiodarone may cause bradycardia and atrioventricular (AV) block. The correct action for the nurse to take at this time is to slow the infusion, because the client is asymptomatic and no evidence reveals AV block that might require pacing. Abruptly ceasing the medication could allow fatal dysrhythmias to occur. The administration of IV fluids and encouragement of coughing and deep breathing exercises are not indicated, and will not increase the client's heart rate.