(^106) Medical-Surgical Nursing Demystified
- diltiazem, nifedipine, nicardipine, amlodipine
- Administer medications to vasodilate the pulmonary artery:
- diazoxide, hydralazine, nitroprusside
- Administer angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitor:
- captopril, enalapril
- Administer anticoagulant to reduce risk of clot formation:
- heparin
- Administer diuretic to remove excess fluid:
- furosemide, bumetanide
- Administer cardiac glycoside for symptom relief of heart failure:
- digoxin
- Reduce sodium in the diet to reduce fluid retention.
- Reduce fluid intake to reduce fluid retention.
NURSING DIAGNOSES
- Excessive fluid volume
- Impaired gas exchange
- Activity intolerance
NURSING INTERVENTION
- Limit fluid to 2 liters per day.
- Monitor digoxin level to avoid toxic effect.
- Check pulse before administering cardiac glycoside. A side effect of the drug
is slowing of the heart rate. Hold medication and contact the physician as
needed. - Monitor serum potassium levels; ACE inhibitors and some diuretics can
cause potassium retention. - Monitor respiratory status for rate, effort, use of accessory muscle, skin color,
and breath sounds. - Explain to the patient:
- How to administer oxygen therapy.
- Medication management.