What are the key nursing considerations prior to and after administration of diltiazem?

Check blood pressure, heart rate, and cardiac monitor prior to administering diltiazem. Assess baseline renal (BUN, Cr) and liver function (AST, ALT) lab tests. Monitor for signs of heart failure (e.g., pulmonary edema, weakness, dyspnea). Provide analgesic for headache.

How do I monitor Cardizem drip?

Continuous cardiac monitoring with documentation of rhythm requiring intervention. Keep HR <120 and >50 and Systolic BP >100mmHg If HR remains >120 after 4 Hours and infusion is at 15mg/hr, notify physician. Vital Signs every 15 min. x4, every 30 min.

What do you monitor with Cardizem?

While you’re taking diltiazem, your doctor will monitor your: heart rate. blood pressure. kidney function.

What should I check before administering Cardizem?

Your blood pressure should be checked regularly to determine your response to diltiazem. Your doctor may ask you to check your pulse (heart rate) daily and will tell you how fast it should be. If your pulse is slower than it should be, call your doctor for directions on taking diltiazem that day.

What is a Cardizem drip?

Cardizem (diltiazem) is a calcium channel blocker. It works by relaxing the muscles of your heart and blood vessels. Cardizem is used to treat hypertension (high blood pressure). It may be used alone or in combination with other high blood pressure medications.

How do you stop Cardizem drip?

When actually making the switch, give the first oral dose about 1 hour before you plan to stop the drip. After the first hour, slowly titrate down the diltiazem drip by 2.5 mg/hr increments until 0. By then, the diltiazem should have time to be absorbed and distributed (time to Tmax is approximately 1 to 1.5 hours).

Does Cardizem drip lower heart rate?

It works by relaxing blood vessels in the body and heart and lowers the heart rate. Blood can flow more easily and your heart works less hard to pump blood.

What is a Cardizem drip used for?

Cardizem is used to treat hypertension (high blood pressure). It may be used alone or in combination with other high blood pressure medications. Cardizem is also used to treat chronic stable angina (chest pain) and angina due to coronary artery spasm.

Which adverse effects should a nurse assess in a patient taking diltiazem?

Advise patient to notify health care professional if rash, irregular heartbeats, dyspnea, swelling of hands and feet, pronounced dizziness, nausea, constipation, or hypotension occurs or if headache is severe or persistent.

What is Cardizem drip used for?

When do you need intervention for a Cardizem drip?

Patients will need intervention when the heart rate is over 100 and they are symptomatic. Rapid atrial fibrillation is a life-threatening condition and should be handled as an emergency issue once identified. Patient’s with Cardizem drips are facing cardiac issues which require close surveillance and monitoring by a nurse.

How many mg of Cardizem can you take in a day?

May follow with continuous infusion at 10 mg/hr (range 5–15 mg/hr) for up to 24 hr. Extended-release capsules (Cardizem CD, Tiazac, Cartia XT, Taztia XT): 120 mg, 180 mg, 240 mg, 300 mg, 360 mg, 420 mg Monitor BP and pulse prior to therapy, during dose titration, and periodically during therapy.

How to titrate a Cardizem drip for a-fib / flutter?

The initial dosing of Cardizem for A-fib/flutter might be something like the following: Dosing (A-fib/flutter) initially 0.25 mg/kg over 2 min. If inadequate give 0.35 mg/kg over 2 min-15 min after 1st dose.

What is Cardizem used for and how does it work?

What is Cardizem Used for and How Does it Work? Cardizem is a medication administered for cardiac conditions. According to AdocateHealth.com: A calcium channel blocker used to slow the ventricular rate of rapid atrial fibrillation and atrial flutter. Calcium contributes to the contraction of the heart and constriction of the arteries.