The nurse performs an electrocardiogram and finds the older adult patient is in atrial fibrillation (AF). Time of onset is unknown but could be as long as 3 months earlier when the patient was last assessed
What drug will the nurse expect to be ordered? A) Anticoagulant
B) Digoxin
C) Quinidine
D) Ibutilide
A
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If the onset of AF is not known and it is suspected that the atria may have been fibrillating for longer than 1 week, the patient is better off staying in AF without drug therapy or electrocardioversion. Prophylactic oral anticoagulants are given to decrease the risk of clot formation and emboli being pumped into the system. In 2011, the American Heart Association and American College of Cardiology endorsed dabigatran (Pradaxa) as the anticoagulant of choice for prophylaxis in AF. Conversion in this case could result in potentially life-threatening embolization of the lungs, brain, or other tissues. Administration of other antiarrhythmics would not be indicated.
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The nurse suspects that the client may have vascular disease. During the examination, the nurse is alert to the client's complaints of:
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A nurse works with an adolescent who was placed in a residential program after multiple episodes of violence at school. Establishing rapport with this adolescent is a priority because: (select all that apply)
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