The nurse caring for a patient who is taking amiodarone. What side effect could this patient experience?

Amiodarone is a potent Class III antiarrhythmic medication with a long half-life and a high lipid solubility, leading to extensive tissue distribution. It contains iodine and can cause significant organ toxicity, affecting the lungs, liver, thyroid gland, and eyes, necessitating frequent long-term monitoring of the patient's physiological status. A. Amiodarone is more likely to cause hypotension rather than hypertension, especially during intravenous administration. This occurs due to the vasodilatory effects of the drug and the solvents used in its formulation. Blood pressure monitoring is essential during the loading phase to prevent severe hemodynamic compromise. B. Corneal microdeposits are an extremely common side effect of long-term amiodarone therapy, occurring in nearly all patients treated for more than 6 months. These yellowish-brown deposits in the corneal epithelium are usually asymptomatic but can occasionally cause visual halos or blurred vision, necessitating regular ophthalmic examinations. C. Amiodarone is a central nervous system depressant rather than a stimulant. Patients are more likely to experience side effects such as fatigue, tremors, ataxia, or peripheral neuropathy. Hyperactivity is not an associated side effect; in fact, the drug can cause hypothyroidism, which typically presents as lethargy and slowed metabolism. D. A sudden increase in temperature is not a classic side effect of amiodarone. However, the drug is known for causing pulmonary toxicity, which may present as a gradual onset of dyspnea and cough. Fever might occur as part of a rare hypersensitivity reaction, but it is not a hallmark diagnostic side effect like corneal changes.