You are caring for a patient who takes an antiarrhythmic agent.
What would be the priority nursing assessment before administering this drug?
Assess pulses and blood pressure.
Assess breath sounds.
Assess mental status.
Assess urine output.
The Correct Answer is A
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.
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Related Questions
Correct Answer is D
Explanation
Choice A rationale
The Drug Enforcement Agency (DEA) primarily focuses on the enforcement of controlled substances laws and regulations, not the approval and testing of medications.
Choice B rationale
The Joint Commission on Accreditation of Healthcare Organizations (JCAHO) accredits and certifies healthcare organizations and programs, but it does not control medication testing.
Choice C rationale
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) focuses on public health and disease prevention, not the scientific testing of medications.
Choice D rationale
The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) is responsible for protecting public health by ensuring the safety, efficacy, and security of human and veterinary drugs, biological products, and medical devices through rigorous scientific testing. .
Correct Answer is D
Explanation
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.
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