Author Question: The nurse is preparing to administer IV calcium chloride to a patient with a low serum calcium ... (Read 110 times)

809779 · **on:** Jul 23, 2018

The nurse is preparing to administer IV calcium chloride to a patient with a low serum calcium level. Which drug on the patient's medication record, administered concurrently, would require additional patient monitoring by the nurse?

a. Digoxin (Lanoxin)
b. Pantoprazole (Protonix)
c. Lorazepam (Ativan)
d. Furosemide (Lasix)

Question 2

The nurse is preparing to administer parenteral calcium chloride. The nurse will administer the medication

a. deep into the deltoid muscle with a 2-inch, 19-gauge needle.
b. into the subcutaneous tissue with a -inch needle.
c. by rapid intravenous (IV) injection after mixing the calcium with phosphates.
d. by slow IV injection after warming the solution to body temperature.

mcomstock09 · **Reply #1 on:** Jul 23, 2018

Answer to Question 1

ANS: A
Parenteral calcium may cause severe bradycardia in patients taking digoxin, therefore the heart rate should be monitored closely.
Concurrent administration of pantoprazole, lorazepam, or furosemide and calcium chloride is not known to lead to drug interactions.

Answer to Question 2

ANS: D
The nurse should administer the medication by slow IV injection. Solutions of calcium salts, such as calcium chloride, should be warmed to body temperature prior to administration.
Calcium chloride cannot be administered intramuscularly.
Injection of calcium chloride into subcutaneous tissue can lead to sloughing and necrosis of the tissue.
Drugs that contain phosphate can precipitate calcium and should not be mixed with it.