Deck 21: Cholinergic-Blocking Drugs

Question 1

A patient has a prescription for oxybutynin (Ditropan), an anticholinergic drug. When reviewing the patient's medical history, which condition, if present, would be considered a contraindication to therapy with this drug?

A) Diarrhea
B) Hypertension
C) Neurogenic bladder
D) Uncontrolled angle-closure glaucoma

Answer 1

Uncontrolled angle-closure glaucoma

Question 2

The nurse will monitor for which adverse effect when administering an anticholinergic drug?

A) Excessive urination
B) Diaphoresis
C) Dry mouth
D) Pupillary constriction

Answer 2

Dry mouth

Question 3

The nurse is reviewing the use of anticholinergic drugs. Anticholinergic drugs block the effects of which nervous system?

A) Central nervous system
B) Somatic nervous system
C) Sympathetic nervous system
D) Parasympathetic nervous system

Answer 3

Parasympathetic nervous system

Question 4

A patient has been taking tolterodine (Detrol), but today her prescriber changed her to a newer drug, darifenacin (Enablex). What advantage does darifenacin have over the tolterodine?

A) The newer cholinergic-blocker drugs are more effective.
B) It helps reduce urinary retention.
C) It can be used in patients with narrow-angle glaucoma.
D) The incidence of dry mouth is much lower with darifenacin.

Question 5

A 72-year-old man has a new prescription for an anticholinergic drug. He is an active man and enjoys outdoor activities, such as golfing and doing his own yard work. What will the nurse emphasize to him during the teaching session about his drug therapy?

A) Drowsiness may interfere with his outdoor activities.
B) Increased salivation may occur during exercise and outside activities.
C) Fluid volume deficits may occur as a result of an increased incidence of diarrhea.
D) He will need to take measures to reduce the occurrence of heat stroke during his activities.

Question 6

A patient has a new prescription for the transdermal form of scopolamine. The nurse knows that this form of scopolamine is used for which condition?

A) Angina
B) Chronic pain
C) Hypertension
D) Motion sickness

Question 7

A patient is to receive glycopyrrolate (Robinul) 4 mcg/kg IM 30 minutes before a procedure. The patient weighs 110 pounds; the medication is available in a strength of 0.2 mg/mL. How many milliliters of medication will the nurse draw up into the syringe?

Question 8

The nurse is reviewing the indications for atropine sulfate. Atropine is appropriate for which of these patients? (Select all that apply.)

A) A patient who has suddenly developed symptomatic bradycardia with a heart rate of 32 beats/minute
B) A patient who has suddenly developed symptomatic tachycardia with a heart rate of 180 beats/minute
C) A patient with severe narrow-angle glaucoma
D) A patient who is about to have surgery
E) A patient newly diagnosed with myasthenia gravis
F) A patient with anticholinesterase inhibitor poisoning

Question 9

A patient has received an accidental overdose of intravenous atropine. Which drug will the nurse prepare to administer?

A) atenolol (Tenormin)
B) bethanechol (Urecholine)
C) dicyclomine (Bentyl)
D) physostigmine (Antilirium)

Question 10

In preparation for eye surgery, the nurse monitors for which desired drug effect in a patient who is receiving a cholinergic-blocking eyedrop medication?

A) Miosis
B) Mydriasis
C) Increased intraocular fluid production
D) Enhanced tear production

Question 11

The nurse is about to administer a stat dose of intravenous atropine sulfate to a patient who is experiencing a symptomatic cardiac dysrhythmia. During administration of this drug, the nurse will monitor the patient closely for which adverse effect?

A) Tachycardia
B) Bradycardia
C) Ectopic beats
D) Cardiac standstill

Question 12

The nurse is reviewing a patient's medication history and notes that the patient is taking the cholinergic blocker tolterodine (Detrol). Which is an indication for this medication?

A) Irritable bowel disease
B) Induction of mydriasis
C) Urge incontinence
D) Reduction of secretions preoperatively

Question 13

The nurse working in a preoperative admitting unit administers an anticholinergic medication to a patient before surgery. What is the purpose of this drug in the preoperative setting?

A) Control the heart rate
B) Relax the patient
C) Reduce urinary frequency
D) Reduce oral and gastrointestinal secretions