Final answer:
When a nurse is assessing a client on flecainide, it is important to monitor the response to therapy, watch for signs of heart failure, check for the development of new cardiac arrhythmias or worsening of the current arrhythmia, and regularly monitor serum flecainide levels.
Step-by-step explanation:
When assessing a client who is receiving flecainide (Tambocor), it is important for the nurse to monitor several key factors to evaluate both efficacy and safety. The elements of this assessment should include:
- A) Response to therapy - Monitoring how well the arrhythmia responds to flecainide is crucial to determining the drug's effectiveness.
- B) Signs of heart failure - Flecainide can exacerbate existing heart failure or contribute to new onset, so watching for symptoms like shortness of breath, edema, and fatigue is important.
- C) Development of new cardiac arrhythmias - As an antiarrhythmic, flecainide can paradoxically cause new arrhythmias, which would necessitate adjustment of treatment.
- D) Worsening of arrhythmia being treated - If the current arrhythmia worsens, the treatment regimen may need to be re-evaluated.
- E) Monitoring of serum flecainide levels - Due to the narrow therapeutic window of flecainide, periodic blood tests to monitor the level of the drug can prevent toxicity.
Hence, all of the listed options should be included in the nurse's ongoing assessment of a client receiving flecainide.