Final answer:
A nurse should report the prolongation of the PR interval, QT interval, and the widening of the QRS complex to the physician after administering an antiarrhythmic drug, as these suggest important changes in the heart's electrical activity. The correct option is A) Tachycardia
Step-by-step explanation:
After administering an antiarrhythmic drug, a nurse would report the following electrocardiogram (ECG) changes to the physician: B) Prolongation of PR interval, C) Prolongation of QT interval, and D) Widening of the QRS complex. Tachycardia (A) and bradycardia (E) are also important changes but are related to the speed of the heart rate rather than the shape or duration of the specific waves or intervals in ECG.
A first-degree AV block can be recognized by an abnormally long PR interval. An abnormal QT interval can predispose someone to arrhythmias, and a wide QRS complex can suggest a ventricular conduction delay or ventricular tachycardia.
The PR interval represents the time from the onset of atrial depolarization (P wave) to the onset of ventricular depolarization (QRS complex). A prolonged PR interval suggests a delay in the conduction between the atria and ventricles, such as seen in first-degree AV block.
The QT interval reflects the time for both ventricular depolarization and repolarization, and its prolongation can increase the risk of life-threatening arrhythmias. The QRS complex represents ventricular depolarization, and its widening indicates a delay in ventricular conduction, which can have multiple causes including bundle branch blocks or use of certain medications.