A client with atrial fibrillation has prescriptions for oral verapamil and metoprolol. Before the morning dose…

Question

A client with atrial fibrillation has prescriptions for oral verapamil and metoprolol. Before the morning doses, the client reports dizziness; heart rate is 48/min, blood pressure is 88/54 mm Hg, and ejection fraction is 35%. Which action should the nurse take?

Accepted Answer

Option 3: Hold both medications and notify the prescriber about the symptomatic bradycardia and hypotension.

Verapamil and a beta blocker can additively depress heart rate, atrioventricular conduction, blood pressure, and ventricular contractility. Symptomatic bradycardia, hypotension, and reduced ejection fraction require both doses to be held and the prescriber notified.

Answer

Option 1: Give metoprolol now, hold verapamil, and repeat the blood pressure after 1 hour.

Answer

Option 2: Separate the two medications by 4 hours and administer both if the dizziness resolves.

Answer

Option 4: Give both medications with food because atrial fibrillation requires two rate-control agents.

A client with atrial fibrillation has prescriptions for oral verapamil and metoprolol. Before the morning doses, the client reports dizziness; heart rate is 48/min, blood pressure is 88/54 mm Hg, and ejection fraction is 35%. Which action should the nurse take?

In-depth explanation

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A client with atrial fibrillation has prescriptions for oral verapamil and metoprolol. Before the morning doses, the client reports dizziness; heart rate is 48/min, blood pressure is 88/54 mm Hg, and ejection fraction is 35%. Which action should the nurse take?

In-depth explanation

Master the NCLEX-RN with MyMerci