A nurse is caring for a patient taking quinidine to suppress ...

[EY67]

A nurse is caring for a patient taking quinidine to suppress sustained ventricular tachycardia. The nurse observes that the patient's ECG shows QRS complexes that have widened by 60 from the baseline measurement. The nurse should
 
  a. continue administering the medication as ordered.
  b. check with the prescriber on rounds about increasing the dosage.
  c. check with the prescriber on the next shift's rounds about the drug.
  d. discontinue the medication and notify the prescriber immediately.

Question 2

The nurse is providing education to a patient with recurrent herpes simplex genitalis. The nurse should make sure to advise the patient that
 
  a. the infection is contagious only when lesions are visible.
  b. antiviral agents are curative in most cases.
  c. the patient will need to take antiviral agents daily for life.
  d. the patient will need to use condoms even when no lesions are evident.

[mrphibs]

Answer to Question 1

D
Cardiotoxicity has occurred, as indicated by the QRS complex widening by more than 50 from baseline. The medication should be discontinued and the prescriber notified.
The medication should not be administered or increased, because this can complicate the cardi-otoxicity.
The drug needs to be stopped immediately and the prescriber notified. This information cannot wait to be shared at a later time.

Answer to Question 2

D
Patients should be advised to avoid all sexual contact when lesions are present, and they should use a condom even when lesions are absent.
The nurse should not advise the patient that infection is contagious only when lesions are visible.
Antiviral agents are not curative in most cases.
There is no indication that the antiviral medication is necessary as a lifelong treatment.

[EY67]

TYSM

[nyrave]

Thanks for the timely response, appreciate it