After the nurse gives IV atropine to a patient with symptomatic ...

[ssal]

After the nurse gives IV atropine to a patient with symptomatic type 1, second-degree atrioventricular (AV) block, which finding indicates that the medication has been effective?
 
  a. Increase in the patient's heart rate
  b. Increase in strength of peripheral pulses
  c. Decrease in premature atrial contractions
  d. Decrease in premature ventricular contractions

Question 2

A patient who was admitted with a myocardial infarction experiences a 45-second episode of ventricular tachycardia, then converts to sinus rhythm with a heart rate of 98 beats/minute. Which of the following actions should the nurse take next?
 
  a. Immediately notify the health care provider.
  b. Document the rhythm and continue to monitor the patient.
  c. Perform synchronized cardioversion per agency dysrhythmia protocol.
  d. Prepare to give IV amiodarone (Cordarone) per agency dysrhythmia protocol.

[mmpiza]

Answer to Question 1

ANS: A
Atropine will increase the heart rate and conduction through the AV node. Because the medication increases electrical conduction, not cardiac contractility, the quality of the peripheral pulses is not used to evaluate the drug effectiveness. The patient does not have premature atrial or ventricular contractions.

Answer to Question 2

ANS: D
The burst of sustained ventricular tachycardia indicates that the patient has significant ventricular irritability, and antidysrhythmic medication administration is needed to prevent further episodes. The nurse should notify the health care provider after the medication is started. Defibrillation is not indicated given that the patient is currently in a sinus rhythm. Documentation and continued monitoring are not adequate responses to this situation.

[ssal]

TYSM

[cassie_ragen]

Excellent