ATI Medical Surgical Proctored Exam 2019 Quizlet Related

Review ATI Medical Surgical Proctored Exam 2019 Quizlet related questions and content

A healthcare provider is preparing to administer a scheduled dose of intravenous (IV) metoprolol (Lopressor) to a client. The client's apical pulse is 58 beats/minute. What action should the healthcare provider take?

  • A. Administer the medication as prescribed.
  • B. Hold the medication and notify the healthcare provider.
  • C. Give half the prescribed dose and recheck the pulse in 30 minutes.
  • D. Administer the medication and then recheck the pulse in 30 minutes.
Correct Answer: B

Rationale: The correct answer is B: Hold the medication and notify the healthcare provider. The rationale is that metoprolol is a beta-blocker that can further decrease heart rate. With a low apical pulse of 58 beats/minute, administering metoprolol can potentially cause bradycardia or further slow down the heart rate to dangerous levels. Holding the medication and notifying the healthcare provider allows for further assessment and potential adjustment of the dosage or consideration of alternative treatments.

Incorrect choices:
A: Administering the medication as prescribed can lead to bradycardia and potential harm to the client.
C: Giving half the prescribed dose and rechecking the pulse in 30 minutes can still lead to further bradycardia and potential harm.
D: Administering the medication and then rechecking the pulse in 30 minutes is not appropriate as the initial pulse rate is already low, and waiting to recheck could lead to adverse effects before intervention.