Question

The nurse is reviewing new orders of a client with CHF. Which of the following orders would the nurse clarify with the health care provider?

1) Metoprolol 100 mg PO BID
2) 0.9
3) Furosemide 20 mg PO BID
4) Carvedilol 12.5 mg PO BID

Answer 1

The nurse should clarify the prescription for both Metoprolol and Carvedilol because having two beta-blockers may lead to excessive cardiac suppression in a CHF patient. The 0.9 order also needs clarification due to missing details. Furosemide is an appropriate medication for CHF.

Step-by-step explanation:

The nurse needs to clarify the orders that seem to be duplicitous or that do not provide clear treatment instruction. In the context of a client with congestive heart failure (CHF), the mentioned medications involve both beta-blockers and diuretics which are common in the management of CHF. However, the prescription includes both Metoprolol and Carvedilol, which are both beta-blockers and generally should not be prescribed together due to the risk of excessive cardiac suppression. No dosage is provided for the 0.9 solution, which could be normal saline, and without additional information (such as volume and administration instructions) this order is unclear and must be clarified. Furosemide, a diuretic also known by the brand name Lasix, is commonly prescribed for CHF to help reduce fluid overload.