Problem: Ms. A presents to the Emergency room and is feeling short of breath and has palpitations. You hook her up to an EKG and note she is in atrial fibrillation with a heart rate of 150. You anticipate you will need to start a medication to slow her heart rate down. Based on this information please answer the following questions
Q1. Which of the following medications would you anticipate you need to give?
a) Hydrochlorothiazide 1 tablet orally
b) Baby aspirin 81mg 1 tablet orally
c) Furosemide 40mg IV
d) Cardizem 20mg IV
Q2. Based on your answer above please explain the mechanism of action for this drug and its effects on the heart rate?
Q3. As a nurse what would you need to monitor for when administering this medication. In other words what are important nursing considerations?