Amiodarone

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New nurse here. During one of my shifts, my pt that was on an amiodarone drip had an increase in HR. I called the doctor and got an order to give a 159 MG bolus. I gave the bolus over 5 minutes (not the 10). Does anyone know if there could be any side effects from this this? I know I was wrong, but would like to know how wrong. The pt is fine, and had nothing happen to them.

Thanks in advance!

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Specializes in Cardiac/Tele.

The best thing you can do now is look up more info and ask yourself questions like: What are the possible side-effects of amiodarone? What's it's half-life? What do you already know about its pharmacology that makes you worry about what it might do to the patient? You'll have your answers. Working in critical care, best to be very very familiar with amio, especially if you are ACLS certified (which depending on your facility, you should be in order to push amio anyway).

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Specializes in GENERAL.

The information available online from vetted sources can make even the most inveterate dum dum an Enstein.

So put the Candy Crush aside and heave-ho.

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Specializes in Emergency Nursing.

The patient will be fine.

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Specializes in Case mgmt., rehab, (CRRN), LTC & psych.

Moved to the Nursing & Patient Medications forum.

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Specializes in CICU, Telemetry.

In a code you push 150-300mg of IV amiodarone.

You're lucky. You made an error that didn't do harm. The take away here is not regarding amiodarone, it's how do you prevent a similar mistake with a med that matters.

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