The nurse is caring for a patient with a cardiac history. Which of the following actions should the nurse take when administering diltiazem (Cardizem)? (Select all that apply.?

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Diltiazem (Cardizem) is a calcium channel blocker used to treat hypertension, angina, and certain heart rhythm disorders. Before administering, it is important to check the patient's apical pulse and blood pressure (A) to ensure they are within safe limits for receiving the medication. If the blood pressure is less than 90 mm Hg systolic (C) or the heart rate is less than 50 beats per minute (F), the physician should be notified, as these could indicate adverse effects of the medication. Monitoring liver and renal functions (D) is important during therapy with diltiazem, as it can affect these organs. Constipation (E) is a common side effect of diltiazem, so monitoring for this condition is also necessary. Monitoring for a round face (B) is not related to diltiazem therapy but is more associated with long-term corticosteroid use.

The Nurse Is Caring for a Patient with a Cardiac