Question

A client with unstable ventricular tachycardia is receiving amiodarone by intravenous infusion. The nurse notes that the client's heart rate has decreased from 68 to 50 beats/min. The client is asymptomatic. What is the nurse's priority intervention?

a. Stop the infusion and flush the IV.
b. Slow the amiodarone infusion rate.
c. Administer a precordial thump.
d. Place the client in a side-lying position.

Answer 1

The nurse's priority intervention should be to slow the amiodarone infusion rate, given the asymptomatic decrease in heart rate from 68 to 50 beats/min for a client with unstable ventricular tachycardia.

Step-by-step explanation:

If a client with unstable ventricular tachycardia is receiving amiodarone via intravenous infusion and experiences a heart rate decrease from 68 to 50 beats/min without symptoms, the nurse's priority intervention would typically be to slow the amiodarone infusion rate. This response is based on the fact that the client is asymptomatic; thus, aggressive interventions such as stopping the infusion or administering a precordial thump are not warranted at this point. However, continuous monitoring of the client is essential to immediately identify and address any new symptoms or further decreases in heart rate.