The nurse administers an adrenergic blocking agent in order to prevent release of what
neurotransmitter?
A) Epinephrine
B) Norepinephrine
C)
... [Show More] Serotonin
D) Gamma-aminobutyric acid (GABA) - Ans: B
Feedback:
Adrenergic blocking agents prevent norepinephrine from being released from the
adrenal medulla or
from the nerve terminal from activating the receptor, which blocks sympathetic
What medication, if ordered for an 8-year-old patient, should the nurse question?
(Select all that apply.)
A) Amiodarone (Cordarone) 400 mg orally per 24 hours
B) Labetalol (Normodyne) 100 mg orally b.i.d.
C) Phentolamine (Regitine) 1 mg intramuscularly 1 to 2 hours before surgery
D) Prazosin (Minipress) 3 mg orally t.i.d.
E) Carvedilol (Coreg) 6.25 mg orally b.i.d. - Ans: A, B, E
Feedback:
Amiodarone, labetalol, and carvedilol are not indicated for pediatric use and do not have
established
pediatric dosages. Phentolamine and prazosin have established pediatric dosages and
would not need to
be questioned.
A nurse is working with a patient who is taking an adrenergic blocking agent. While
assessing the
patient's medication history, the nurse discovers that the patient takes several
alternative therapies. What herb is the nurse concerned may interact with the
adrenergic blocking agent and affect the
patient's blood glucose level?
A) Ginseng
B) Nightshade
C) Di huang
D) Saw Palmetto - Ans: C
Feedback:
Di huang is an alternative therapy that can lower blood glucose when used in
combination with
adrenergic blocking agents. Ginseng increases antihypertensive effects; nightshade
slows the heart rate;
and saw palmetto increases the risk of urinary tract complications when used in
combination with
adrenergic blocking agents.
A priority nursing assessment for a patient who is to receive an alpha- or betaadrenergic blocking
agent would be what?
A) Monitoring respiratory rate
B) Checking blood glucose level
C) Measuring urine output
D) Assessing heart rate - Ans: D
Feedback:
The most serious adverse effect would be severe bradycardia, so the nurse's priority
would be assessing
the heart rate. If the patient were identified as having diabetes, then monitoring blood
glucose levels
would become important because these drugs can aggravate diabetes by blocking
sympathetic response
including masking the usual signs and symptoms of hypoglycemia and hyperglycemia.
Respiratory rate
could be impacted if the patient was identified as having a condition causing
bronchospasm and
diabetes because the combination could worsen both conditions. Measuring urine
output should be part
of the patient's care, but it is not the priority assessment.
Bisoprolol (Zebeta) would be the drug of choice for which patient with a diagnosis of
hypertension?
A) A 7-year-old patient
B) A 15-year-old patient
C) A 37-year-old patient
D) A 69-year-old patient - Ans: D
Feedback:
Bisoprolol is the drug of choice for older adults. It is not associated with as many
adverse effects in the
elderly and regular dosing profiles can be used. This drug does not have an established
pediatric
dosage. Although the 37-year-old patient is an adult, there are additional choices for this
patient, with a
more favorable adverse effect profile.
What would be the teaching priority for a diabetic patient being treated with a
nonselective beta-blocker?
A) To take his own pulse
B) To weigh himself once a week at the same time of day
C) To avoid smoke-filled rooms
D) To understand signs and symptoms of hypo- or hyperglycemic reaction - Ans: D
Feedback:
Because the beta-blockers stop the signs and symptoms of a sympathetic stress
reaction, the signs and
symptoms associated with hypo- or hyperglycemia, the diabetic patient taking a betablocker will need
to understand this and learn new indicators of these reactions. Taking his pulse, weekly
weighing, and
avoiding smoke-filled rooms are good health practices and should be done, but not
specifically needed
by a diabetic patient taking a beta-blocker.
The nurse is caring for a patient who is receiving an adrenergic blocking agent. While
writing the care
plan for this patient what nursing diagnoses would be most appropriate concerning
comfort?
A) Acute pain related to cardiovascular and systemic effects
B) Decreased cardiac output related to cardiovascular effects
C) Ineffective airway clearance related to lack of bronchodilating effects
D) Deficient knowledge regarding drug therapy - Ans: A
Feedback:
All four options would be appropriate nursing diagnoses for a patient receiving an
adrenergic blocking
agent. However, acute pain would be the only nursing diagnosis related to the patient's
comfort level.
A nurse is providing discharge instructions to a patient who is taking atenolol (Tenormin)
to treat
hypertension. What would the nurse teach the patient regarding a possible drugdrug
interaction?... [Show Less]