A nurse is caring for a patient in the intensive care unit who is receiving intravenous lidocaine. The patient is drowsy and confused and reports numbness of the fingers and toes. Which standing order will the nurse initiate at this time?
a. Administer diazepam.
b. Reduce the rate of infusion.
c. Discontinue the infusion.
d. Prepare for mechanical ventilation.
ANS: B
This patient is showing signs that are common with high therapeutic levels of lidocaine. Because lidocaine is rapidly degraded, slowing the rate of infusion can help remove excess drug from the circulation. Seizures are possible with toxic doses; diazepam should be used to control seizures. It is not necessary to discontinue the infusion, because this patient is showing signs common to high therapeutic doses. Respiratory arrest is possible with toxic doses; mechanical ventilation may be needed.
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