Question 1

The client who is being treated with an anticholinergic medication should receive which instruction?

Accepted Answer

Dry mouth is a common side effect of the anticholinergics.

Question 2

The client that would be a poor candidate for treatment with an atropine-like drug is the client who has:

Accepted Answer

Atropine may cause pupillary dilation, which increases intraocular pressure.

Question 3

The client has been started on Artane. The nurse notes that the client's bowel sounds are decreasing. What is the highest priority action on the part of the nurse?

Accepted Answer

A decrease in bowel sounds could signal the beginning of paralytic ileus.

Question 4

A nurse is teaching a client about bethanechol hydrochloride (Urecholine). The nurse informs the client that this drug warrants which precaution?

Accepted Answer

This medication may lead to orthostatic hypotension and warrants careful position changes. Although bradycardia is a risk, it is not important to count pulse rate frequently.

Question 5

The client has been started on Detrol LA and tells the nurse that he is experiencing constipation. What is the highest priority action on the part of the nurse?

Accepted Answer

A side effect of Detrol LA can be constipation.

Question 6

Reversible cholinesterase inhibitors can be an effective treatment for glaucoma because of which action of the drug?

Accepted Answer

With constriction, the outflow of aqueous humor is facilitated, decreasing intraocular pressure.

Question 7

The nurse notes that a client with glaucoma has been ordered an anticholinergic medication. What is the highest priority action on the part of the nurse?

Accepted Answer

With pupillary dilation, the outflow of aqueous humor is hampered, increasing the intraocular pressure.

Question 8

The client that would be a poor candidate for treatment with bethanechol chloride (Urecholine) is the client who is experiencing:

Accepted Answer

Side effects of this medication are decreasing the pulse rate and vasodilation, which can exacerbate bradycardia and hypotension.

Question 9

The nurse is reviewing the history of a client who has been prescribed tolterodine tartrate (Detrol, Detrol LA) for treatment of incontinence. The nurse plans to contact the health care provider if the client has:

Accepted Answer

Tolterodine tartrate is an antimuscarinic and anticholinergic agent. It is contraindicated in clients with narrow-angle glaucoma.

Question 10

A client with nausea and vomiting has been prescribed an antihistamine and an anticholinergic. The nurse anticipates that which expected side effect of these medications will be observed in the client?

Accepted Answer

These are common side effects associated with these medications.

Question 11

The client has myasthenia gravis. The highest priority client teaching is:

Accepted Answer

Even small gaps in time may cause respiratory muscle weakness; therefore the time schedule is strict.

Question 12

A client experiences bradycardia as a result of vagal stimulation. What will the nurse expect to administer?

Accepted Answer

Atropine is given to increase heart rate in patients with vagally stimulated bradycardia.

Question 13

The client has been started on Detrol LA. She is also being treated with a tricyclic antidepressant. What effect should the nurse anticipate from the interaction of the medications?

Accepted Answer

The combination of Detrol LA and a tricyclic antidepressant can result in an increase in the action of the Detrol LA.

Question 14

A client is receiving bethanechol chloride (Urecholine) as part of his treatment regimen. He is experiencing swallowing difficulties. The highest priority action on the part of the nurse is to contact the physician to administer the drug by _____ injection.

Accepted Answer

Bethanechol may be given orally or subcutaneously.

Question 15

Which response can the nurse expect to see in the client who has parkinsonism and is being treated with anticholinergics?

Accepted Answer

This is the use for parkinsonism, a disease whose symptoms include tremors, bradykinesia, rigidity, and drooling.

Question 16

The client is being treated with a large dose of an anticholinergic medication. She complains of feeling disoriented. What should be the nurse's highest priority action based on the client's complaint?

Accepted Answer

An expected side effect of giving large doses of an anticholinergic medication is that of disorientation.

Question 17

The nurse notes that Artane has been ordered as a preoperative medication for the client. What is the highest priority action on the part of the nurse?

Accepted Answer

Atropine is typically given as part of a preoperative regimen, but not Artane.

Question 18

The client has been diagnosed with early-stage Alzheimer's dementia. What cholinesterase inhibitor is most likely to be ordered for this client?

Accepted Answer

This is the medication commonly given for Alzheimer's dementia and is thought to improve memory.

Question 19

A client is ordered bethanechol chloride (Urecholine) for urinary retention. A nurse is adding up the client's intake and output for the 8-hour shift. The client's I = 850 mL, O = 350 mL. What should the nurse do?

Accepted Answer

The answer of A client is ordered bethanechol chloride (Urecholine)...

Quiz 19: Cholinergic Agonists and Anticholinergics