In: Nursing
Mr. Jones’s heart rate is 54 beats per minute. Tony is about to give Mr. Jones his scheduled atenolol dose. When Tony scans Mr. Jones’s armband and the medication bar codes, the computer warns him that atenolol should not be given to a patient with a heart rate less than 60 beats per minute. What should Tony do?
In this case Tony should inform the physician and then the matter should be discussed with the on duty pharmacist. Furthermore the alternative medication should be given to Mr. Jones.