Question

The nurse is preparing to administer adenosine (Adenocard) for a patient diagnosed with atrial flutter. Which of the following should be completed when giving this medication?

a) The dose is administered rapid IV push.
b) The dose is administered slow IV push.
c) The medication is followed by a slow saline flush.
d) The medication is followed by a rapid lactated Ringer's (LR) flush.

Answer 1

When administering adenosine for atrial flutter, the dose should be administered as a rapid IV push followed by a rapid saline flush to ensure efficacy and safety. This method affects the atrioventricular (AV) node to restore normal heart rhythm.

Step-by-step explanation:

Administering Adenosine (Adenocard) for Atrial Flutter

When administering adenosine (Adenocard) for a patient diagnosed with atrial flutter, it is critical to adhere to best practices for administration to ensure the medication's efficacy and patient safety. The correct procedure involves:

1. Administering the dose rapidly (rapid IV push), as adenosine has a very short half-life and must reach the heart quickly to be effective.
2. Following the medication with a rapid saline flush to ensure that the adenosine is pushed into the circulation and reaches the heart as fast as possible.

This process will help to restore normal heart rhythm by affecting the atrioventricular (AV) node, which plays a key role in the conduction of electrical impulses in the heart. It is important to monitor the patient closely after administering adenosine due to its potent effects on cardiac rhythm.