Atenolol and Bradycardia....

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Specializes in New Grad.

If the attending MD gave you an order to give a patient Atenolol 20mg IV, and his vital signs were BP 195/80, HR 48, and RR 22, what would you do?

Obviously you would hold the medication because Atenolol is contraindicated in sinus bradycardia, but what else would you do?

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Specializes in Med Surg, Home Health, Dialysis, Tele.

First I would definitely notify the doctor. This med can't be given with that kind of pulse, but the BP definitely needs to be lowered. What about Apresoline? This person might also be a candidate for a pacemaker. You should talk to the doctor, he (or she) should have ideas about a good medication to give.:paw:

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Specializes in Orthopedics/Med-Surg, LDRP.

I agree, I would of notified the doctor. Apresoline or Vasotec would of been good alternatives that don't decrease the HR. Perhaps a one time dose of IV for the instant lowering and then po for slower release.

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