The nurse is caring for a patient who is taking a calcium-channel blocker.
What adverse effects would the nurse caution this patient about?

Choice A rationale

Assessing pulses and blood pressure is crucial before administering an antiarrhythmic agent because these drugs can affect heart rate and blood pressure, requiring close monitoring to prevent adverse effects.

Choice B rationale

While assessing breath sounds is important in overall patient care, it is not the priority before administering antiarrhythmic agents as these drugs primarily affect the cardiovascular system.

Choice C rationale

Assessing mental status is important in patient care, but it is not the priority before administering an antiarrhythmic agent, as these medications primarily influence cardiovascular parameters.

Choice D rationale

Assessing urine output is vital for monitoring kidney function and fluid balance, but it is not the priority before administering an antiarrhythmic agent, which mainly affects heart rhythm and blood pressure.

Choice A rationale

Vitamin E is an antioxidant and is not indicated to counteract the effects of warfarin. It does not have a role in reversing anticoagulation or managing bleeding. High doses of Vitamin E can actually interfere with clotting and potentially exacerbate bleeding.

Choice B rationale

Protamine Sulfate is an antidote for heparin, not warfarin. It works by neutralizing the effects of heparin, which is an anticoagulant that acts quickly to prevent clot formation. Warfarin works differently and requires a different antidote for its anticoagulant effect.

Choice C rationale

Calcium Gluconate is not an antidote for warfarin. It is typically used in cases of hypocalcemia and can stabilize cardiac membranes in hyperkalemia but has no effect on reversing warfarin-induced anticoagulation or bleeding.

Choice D rationale

Vitamin K is the correct antidote for warfarin. It counteracts the anticoagulant effects by promoting the synthesis of clotting factors that warfarin inhibits. Administering Vitamin K is standard practice in reversing the effects of warfarin and managing bleeding complications.