Cardiovascular Pharmacology NCLEX RN Nursing Practice Question
The nurse is caring for a client receiving a continuous infusion of diltiazem who has the below tracing on the electrocardiogram (ECG). On assessment, the client has irregular peripheral pulses, an S3 heart sound, and 2+ pedal edema. The nurse should plan to take which priority action? See the image below.
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: S3 and edema suggest heart failure, possibly exacerbated by diltiazem's negative inotropic effect. Stopping the infusion is the priority.