Question

A patient who has experienced atrial fibrillation for the past 3 days is admitted to the cardiac care unit. In addition to administering an antidysrhythmia medication, the healthcare provider should anticipate which of these orders? a. Initiate a heparin infusion b. Give atropine IV push c. Prepare for immediate cardioversion d. Prepare the patient for AV node ablation

Answer 1

The healthcare provider should anticipate preparing the patient for immediate cardioversion.

Step-by-step explanation:

A patient who has experienced atrial fibrillation for the past 3 days is admitted to the cardiac care unit. In addition to administering an antidysrhythmia medication, the healthcare provider should anticipate preparing the patient for immediate cardioversion. Cardioversion is a procedure in which an electric shock is delivered to the heart to restore a normal heart rhythm. It is commonly used for atrial fibrillation that has been present for a few days.

Answer 2

In this case, the healthcare provider should anticipate initiating a heparin infusion to treat atrial fibrillation.

Step-by-step explanation:

Atrial fibrillation is a condition where the heart beats in a wild, uncontrolled manner, preventing it from pumping effectively. In this case, since the patient has been experiencing atrial fibrillation for the past 3 days, an appropriate order for the healthcare provider would be to anticipate initiating a heparin infusion.

Heparin is an anticoagulant medication that helps prevent blood clots from forming in the heart during atrial fibrillation. By administering heparin, the healthcare provider can reduce the risk of complications such as stroke or heart attack.

Additionally, heparin may also help promote the conversion of atrial fibrillation back to a normal sinus rhythm, as it prevents clot formation and allows the heart to pump more effectively.