13. A nurse is preparing a client for an elective electrical cardioversion. What should be included in this client's teaching?
13. A nurse is preparing a client for an elective electrical cardioversion. What should be included in this client's teaching?
. General anesthesia will be used during the procedure.
. Digoxin is given 48 hours before cardioversion.
. Analgesia and sedation are given before the procedure.
. Following the procedure, the client will remain hospitalized for 24 hours.
Test-Taking Tip
Eliminate the option that would vary with the client's preprocedure drug therapy (Answer 2) and postprocedure hospitalization (Answer 4). Eliminate the inappropriate anesthesia for this procedure (Answer 1).
Content Area: Adult Health, Cardiology; Integrated Process: Teaching and Learning; Cognitive Level: Application; Client Need/Subneed: Physiological Integrity/Reduction of Risk Potential/Therapeutic Procedures
.
Answer 1 is incorrect because the client receives moderate IV sedation (e.g., conscious sedation), not general anesthesia. Answer 2 is incorrect because digoxin is usually held for 48 hours before cardioversion to ensure resumption of a normal sinus rhythm. Answer 3 is correct because the client will receive moderate IV sedation as well as an analgesic medication before the procedure. Answer 4 is incorrect because the length of time after the procedure will depend on how rapidly the client recovers from the sedation and analgesia used, as well as the success of the cardioversion.