New Onset Afib

[donotenter]

I admitted a patient for observation because he fell and couldn’t get up. Patient was obese (54.1 BMI). I am on a non monitored med/surg floor.

History of congestive heart failure, diabetes 2, hypertension, hyperlipidemia, obstructive sleep apnea.

Patient also developed new onset a-fib in the ER, from what I read in the EKG and ER doctor notes. I did not know this until he showed up to the floor. Heart rate 70s-110s, asymptomatic, for the most part. +2 Bilateral lower extremities edema we’re treating with lasix 20mg iv. Also ordered, aspirin 325 mg tab, and 50 mg of lopressor.

I am not a cardiac nurse. What should I be doing about this new onset afib?

[NewOncNurseRN, BSN, RN]

What is your hospital policy? Ours is that as long as someone with a. Fib has a pulse under 110s, we don’t do anything beyond their normal beta blockers. However, if it’s a new onset we put them on tele for about 24 hours to confirm that it is controlled.

if you know the policy, you can use it to call the provider and get the patient moved to an appropriate service area if necessary.