Author Question: A 48-year-old male patient with no known history of cardiovascular disease has presented to the ... (Read 39 times)

fagboi · **on:** Jul 23, 2018

A 48-year-old male patient with no known history of cardiovascular disease has presented to the emergency department in atrial flutter. The on-call cardiologist has ordered propafenone PO 150 mg every 8 hours for 24 hours.

What is the cardiac care nurse's priority assessment during this period? A) Every 1 hour monitoring of potassium levels
B) Blood pressure monitoring every 10 minutes
C) Echocardiography
D) Continuous ECG monitoring

Question 2

An older adult patient is experiencing diarrhea. Which of the following is a likely cause of diarrhea?

A) Fluid volume deficit
B) Antihypertensive agents
C) Laxative abuse
D) Anemia

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

Answer to Question 1

D
Feedback:
Propafenone may cause new dysrhythmias or aggravate preexisting dysrhythmias, sometimes causing sustained ventricular tachycardia or ventricular fibrillation. As a result, continuous ECG monitoring is necessary at the initiation of treatment. This is a priority over serial potassium levels or echocardiography. Blood pressure should ideally be monitored more frequently than every 10 minutes.

Answer to Question 2

C
Feedback:
Laxative abuse is associated with diarrhea. This phenomenon is particularly common among older adults. Antihypertensive agents and anemia are not associated with diarrhea. Fluid volume deficit is a result, not cause, of diarrhea.