Perfusion and Renal Elimination
6.4 Clinical Reasoning and Decision-Making Related to Perfusion Drugs
Assessment and Cues
Understanding the mechanism of action of a cardiac medication will help a nurse choose the proper assessments to perform on a client. It is important for a nurse to complete a full cardiac assessment to fully understand the health status of the client, the safe implementation of the medication, and the expected effectiveness of the medication.
Many cardiovascular drugs alter a client’s blood pressure or heart rate, such as antiarrhythmics, cardiac glycosides, antihypertensives, and diuretics. Therefore, it is important for a nurse to assess a client’s blood pressure and heart rate prior to administration. Medication parameters are often included in the order by a healthcare provider. For example, a common medication parameter is to hold a beta blocker if a client’s heart rate is less than 60 beats per minute. Additionally, antiarrhythmic medication will alter the electrical conduction of the heart, so intermittent or continuous ECG monitoring may be required during initial therapy or dose changes.
Electrolytes can play a large role in cardiac conduction and muscle function. Medications that alter electrolytes, such as Loop diuretics, require a review of laboratory values before administration. Loop diuretics such as furosemide (Lasix) often cause a depletion of potassium. If a nurse administers a loop diuretic to a client who already has low serum potassium levels (called hypokalemia), worsening symptoms of hypokalemia will occur, which can cause a life-threatening arrhythmia.
Monitoring kidney function is also important when administering many cardiovascular medications. For example, diuretics can cause renal injury. A nurse should be aware of cardiovascular medications that are affected by impaired renal function or cause renal injury. In addition, a nurse must appropriately assess and report abnormal laboratory values such as worsening serum creatinine and glomerular filtration rates (GFR). It is also important to assess for signs of dehydration, as well as intake and output in client’s taking diuretics.
Anticoagulant medications cause serious risk for bleeding that can be life threatening. Prior to administering medication that alters a client’s coagulation, it is important to assess for signs and symptoms of unusual bleeding or bruising. Laboratory values, such as International Normalized Ratio (INR), PTT, or platelets, may also require review prior to administering an anticoagulant medication. Any new abnormal lab values or signs of increased bleeding and internal bleeding should be immediately reported.
Implementation
Before administration of any cardiovascular drug, it is vital for the nurse to determine if this particular cardiac medication is safe for this client at this time. For example, if the client’s heart rate or blood pressure is below the anticipated parameters, the medication should be withheld and the presc