The nurse learns that the client has been started on sotalol ...

[erika]

The nurse learns that the client has been started on sotalol (Betapace). What is the most likely rationale for this?
 
  1. Hypertension
  2. Serious ventricular dysrhythmia
  3. Atrial dysrhythmia
  4. Chronic atrial fibrillation

Question 2

A client with cardiac rhythm disturbance is hospitalized during the initial stage of antidysrhythmic therapy. What is the best explanation to the client about the need for hospitalization?
 
  1. High dosages of medication will have to be administered.
  2. Continual ECG monitoring will be necessary.
  3. The safety margin of dosing is very narrow.
  4. The client will be able to recover sooner.

[JYan]

Answer to Question 1

2

Rationale 1:Sotalol (Betapace) is a potassium channel blocker as well as a nonselective beta-adrenergic blocker, and is reserved for serious ventricular dysrhythmias.
Rationale 2:Sotalol (Betapace) is a potassium channel blocker as well as a nonselective beta-adrenergic blocker, and is reserved for serious ventricular dysrhythmias.
Rationale 3:Sotalol (Betapace) is a potassium channel blocker as well as a nonselective beta-adrenergic blocker, and is reserved for serious ventricular dysrhythmias.
Rationale 4:Sotalol (Betapace) is a potassium channel blocker as well as a nonselective beta-adrenergic blocker, and is reserved for serious ventricular dysrhythmias.

Global Rationale: Sotalol (Betapace) is a potassium channel blocker as well as a nonselective beta-adrenergic blocker, and is reserved for serious ventricular dysrhythmias. This medication is not used to treat hypertension, atrial dysrhythmia, or chronic atrial fibrillation.

Answer to Question 2

3

Rationale 1: High dosages of medication will have to be administered because the difference between the optimal therapeutic dose and the toxic dose is very narrow.
Rationale 2:Continual ECG monitoring will be necessary is incorrect because the client might not be on a continuous ECG monitor.
Rationale 3: The difference between the optimal therapeutic dose and the toxic dose is very narrow. As such, antidysrhythmic medications have the potential to correct dysrhythmias, but they also have the ability to worsen or even create new dysrhythmias. Often, the client is hospitalized during the initial stage so that the optimum dose can be accurately determined.
Rationale 4:The client will be able to recover sooner is incorrect because the client is often hospitalized during the initial stage so that the optimum dose can be accurately determined.

Global Rationale: The difference between the optimal therapeutic dose and the toxic dose is very narrow. As such, antidysrhythmic medications have the potential to correct dysrhythmias, but they also have the ability to worsen or even create new dysrhythmias. Often, the client is hospitalized during the initial stage so that the optimum dose can be accurately determined.

[erika]

TY

[JYan]

You're welcome