Before administering amiodarone which assessment is most important for the nurse to complete

1

Rationale:
The patient should notify the prescriber. Significant adverse effects of the drug quinidine include cardiac asystole and ventricular ectopic beats. Quinidine can cause cinchonism. Symptoms of mild cinchonism include tinnitus, loss of hearing, slight blurring of vision, and gastrointestinal upset. Contraindications to the use of the drug include hypersensitivity, thrombocytopenic purpura resulting from previous therapy, atrioventricular block, intraventricular conduction defects, and torsades de pointes. Quinidine is available in both oral and parenteral (injectable) forms and in three different salt forms. The oral preparations include sulfate and gluconate salts. Instruct the patient to report immediately to the prescriber any dizziness, shortness of breath, chest pain, and/or worsening of symptoms or occurrence of new symptoms. The patient must never stop taking or changing the dose of these medications without specific instructions to do so; an abrupt discontinuation of these drugs may lead to severe or life-threatening complications.

1,2, 3, 5

Rationale:
Amiodarone may lead to gastrointestinal upset, which may be prevented or decreased by taking the drug with food or a snack. Photosensitivity (sunburn and other exaggerated skin reactions to the sunlight) and photophobia (light sensitivity) are other concerns with this drug. With photosensitivity, protective clothing, hat, and sunscreen are needed. The nurse should emphasize protection of the eyes (eg, wearing of sunglasses and/or tinted contact lenses) to patients taking this medication. Consumption of a high-fiber diet and forcing of fluids (not decreasing) can minimize the constipation that is a common side effect of antidysrhythmic drugs. When beta blockers are used with an antidysrhythmic, any shortness of breath, weight gain, changes in baseline blood glucose levels, or excess fatigue must be reported to the prescriber immediately.

1, 2, 4

Rationale:
Adverse effects for the class IA antidysrhythmic drugs include diarrhea, blurred vision, and tinnitus, as well as hypotension, rash, electrocardiogram changes, bitter taste, anorexia, gingival hyperplasia, and decreased blood pressure (not hypertension) and pulse rate.

1, 2, 3, 5

Rationale:
Verapamil is a class IV antidysrhythmic drug, or calcium channel blocker. These drugs are associated with dizziness, hypotension, constipation, heart block, and dyspnea. Verapamil can temporarily control a rapid ventricular response to frequent atrial stimulations. When effective, verapamil assists in matching the atrial and ventricular rates, which is an expected (not adverse) effec

What should you assess before giving amiodarone?

Monitor blood pressure and apical pulse prior to administration. Cardiac monitor should be used on patients receiving amiodarone therapy. Baseline chest x-ray and pulmonary function test is recommended before beginning PO therapy. Baseline assessments should be checked of liver function and thyroid function.

When teaching a patient about amiodarone the nurse should advise the patient to avoid?

Grapefruit and grapefruit juice may increase the side effects of amiodarone by increasing the amount of this medicine in your body. You should not eat grapefruit or drink grapefruit juice while you are using this medicine.

When teaching a patient about amiodarone the nurse should?

Key teachings for your patient are to monitor pulse daily, avoid grapefruit juice and that side effects can appear up to a year after initiation of therapy. Teach your patient that the effects of amiodarone can persist for months after discontinuation, due to the drugs long half life of up to 100 days.

What should be monitored when taking amiodarone?

Baseline assessment and ongoing monitoring is recommended Before a patient is commenced on amiodarone therapy, prescribers should ensure that the following baseline assessments are completed: pulmonary function assessment (including chest X-ray) ECG and serum potassium levels. liver function tests.