Question

A nurse is providing discharge education on the use of sustained-release procainamide to a client with newly diagnosed atrial flutter. What will the nurse include in the teaching?

"You will need to have laboratory blood tests performed every 3 months."

"Hold the medication if your heart rate is below 70 beats/min."

"Notify your healthcare provider if you begin experiencing joint pain."

"Crush your medication and mix it with food to mask the taste."

Answer 1

When providing discharge education on the use of sustained-release procainamide to a client with newly diagnosed atrial flutter, the nurse should include information about laboratory blood tests, monitoring heart rate, reporting joint pain, and avoiding crushing the medication.

Step-by-step explanation:

When providing discharge education on the use of sustained-release procainamide to a client with newly diagnosed atrial flutter, the nurse should include the following information:

• You will need to have laboratory blood tests performed every 3 months: This is important to monitor the client's response to the medication and check for any potential side effects.
• Hold the medication if your heart rate is below 70 beats/min: This is because sustained-release procainamide can cause a slow heart rate, so it's important to monitor it regularly and adjust the dosage if necessary.
• Notify your healthcare provider if you begin experiencing joint pain: Joint pain can be a side effect of procainamide, and it's important to report any new symptoms to the healthcare provider.
• Crush your medication and mix it with food to mask the taste: You should not crush or break sustained-release medications, as it can alter their intended release pattern and potentially lead to ineffective treatment.