The patient has Pepcid 20 mg IVPB every 12 hours ordered for prevention of gastric ulcers. The Pepcid is supplied as 20 mg/50 mL. The directions are to infuse in over 30 minutes. What rate do you set the pump? Whole number

A. Atropine: Atropine is used to treat symptomatic bradycardia by increasing heart rate through vagal inhibition. It has no role in pulseless ventricular tachycardia (VT) and would not address the life-threatening arrhythmia, making it inappropriate in this context.

B. Amiodarone: Amiodarone is a class III antiarrhythmic indicated for refractory ventricular tachycardia or ventricular fibrillation unresponsive to initial defibrillation and epinephrine. It works by prolonging the action potential and refractory period in cardiac tissue, helping to stabilize ventricular conduction and increase the likelihood of return of spontaneous circulation.

C. Dopamine: Dopamine is a vasoactive agent used to support blood pressure and cardiac output in hypotension or shock. It does not terminate pulseless VT and would not be effective in restoring a perfusing rhythm, so it is not appropriate as the next step in this scenario.

D. Adenosine: Adenosine is effective for terminating supraventricular tachycardias by transiently blocking AV nodal conduction. It is ineffective for ventricular arrhythmias such as pulseless VT and could delay appropriate life-saving therapy if used in this situation.

A. Place the client in high-Fowler's position: After a cardiac catheterization, the client is usually placed supine to maintain hemostasis at the vascular access site. High-Fowler’s position increases the risk of bleeding or hematoma formation at the femoral access site, making this intervention inappropriate immediately post-procedure.

B. Measure the client's vital signs every 4 hr: Vital signs should be monitored much more frequently after a cardiac catheterization, often every 15 minutes for the first hour, then every 30 minutes for the next hour, and at least hourly thereafter depending on protocol. Four-hour intervals are too infrequent to detect early signs of bleeding or hemodynamic instability.

C. Keep the client's hip and leg extended: Maintaining the leg and hip in an extended position helps prevent stress on the vascular access site, reducing the risk of bleeding or arterial injury. This is a critical post-catheterization intervention, particularly if the femoral artery was used.

D. Have the client remain in bed up to 6 hr: Bed rest after catheterization is essential to allow the arterial puncture site to clot and stabilize. Prolonged immobility for the recommended duration prevents bleeding, hematoma formation, and potential vascular complications.

E. Check peripheral pulses in the affected extremity: Monitoring pulses in the extremity used for access ensures adequate perfusion and helps detect complications such as arterial occlusion or thrombus formation early. Regular neurovascular assessments are a standard component of post-catheterization care.