For a patient receiving diltiazem, what is the priority nursing action if the ECG tracing shows bradycardia?

In the scenario of a patient receiving diltiazem who is showing signs of bradycardia on the ECG, the most appropriate nursing action is to discontinue the diltiazem infusion. Diltiazem is a calcium channel blocker that can cause bradycardia as a side effect due to its effect on heart rate and contractility. When bradycardia occurs, continuing the medication could potentially exacerbate the situation, leading to more severe complications, such as symptomatic bradycardia or hypotension.

Discontinuing the infusion can help stabilize the patient's heart rate and mitigate the risks associated with decreased cardiac output. This action is pivotal in addressing the immediate concern presented by the abnormal ECG tracing, allowing for further assessment and intervention to ensure the patient's safety while other evaluations or treatments can be considered thereafter.

Meanwhile, although notifying the primary healthcare physician and preparing for the administration of intravenous atropine may be appropriate subsequent actions, they should occur after the diltiazem is discontinued to prevent further negative effects. Assessing the client's oxygen saturation and respiratory rate is important for overall patient monitoring; however, it does not directly address the cause of the bradycardia from diltiazem and should be performed alongside discontinuation of the drug