The nurse is caring for a client who is diagnosed with bacterial meningitis. Which assessment finding would be an immediate concern for the nurse?

Choice A Reason:

Monitoring the QT interval is crucial when administering amiodarone because this drug can prolong the QT interval, increasing the risk of torsades de pointes, a potentially life-threatening form of ventricular tachycardia. The QT interval represents the time it takes for the heart’s ventricles to depolarize and repolarize, and prolongation can lead to arrhythmias. Regular monitoring helps in early detection and prevention of such adverse effects.

Choice B Reason:

Heart rate monitoring is essential when administering amiodarone because the drug can cause bradycardia (a slower than normal heart rate). Amiodarone affects the electrical conduction system of the heart, which can lead to significant changes in heart rate. Monitoring the heart rate ensures that any bradycardia is detected early and managed appropriately to prevent complications such as hypotension or heart failure.

Choice C Reason:

While respiratory rate monitoring is important in general patient care, it is not specifically necessary for monitoring the effects of amiodarone. Amiodarone primarily affects the heart’s electrical activity and has less direct impact on respiratory function. However, in cases of severe adverse reactions, such as pulmonary toxicity, respiratory monitoring may become relevant.

Choice D Reason:

Monitoring heart rhythm is vital when administering amiodarone because the drug is used to treat arrhythmias and can also cause new arrhythmias or exacerbate existing ones. Continuous ECG monitoring helps in detecting any abnormal heart rhythms early, allowing for timely intervention. This is particularly important in patients with a history of arrhythmias or those receiving high doses of amiodarone.

Choice E Reason:

Urine output monitoring is not specifically necessary for patients receiving amiodarone. While maintaining adequate urine output is important for overall patient health, amiodarone does not typically affect renal function directly. Therefore, urine output monitoring is not a primary concern when administering this medication.

Choice A Reason:

Documenting that the nasogastric tube is in the correct place is not appropriate in this scenario. The normal pH range for gastric contents is typically between 1.5 and 3.5. A pH of 7.35 is much higher than this range, indicating that the tube may not be in the stomach. Therefore, documenting the tube as correctly placed could lead to potential complications, such as improper feeding or medication administration.

Choice B Reason:

Notifying the health care provider is the correct action. A pH of 7.35 suggests that the nasogastric tube may be misplaced, possibly in the respiratory tract or another non-gastric location. Immediate notification of the health care provider is crucial to prevent any adverse outcomes and to take corrective measures, such as confirming placement with an X-ray or re-inserting the tube.

Choice C Reason:

Checking for placement by auscultating for air injected into the tube is not a reliable method for verifying nasogastric tube placement. While this method was traditionally used, it has been found to be inaccurate and is no longer recommended. The sound of air entering the stomach can be misleading and does not confirm correct placement.

Choice D Reason:

Retesting the pH using another strip is not the best immediate action. While it is important to ensure the accuracy of the pH reading, a pH of 7.35 is significantly outside the normal gastric range, and retesting is unlikely to yield a different result. The priority should be to notify the health care provider to address the potential misplacement of the tube.