Question 1

A patient has been on a dopamine drip,and the nurse notices that the infusion has extravasated into the tissue of the forearm.After stopping the infusion,the nurse immediately injects phentolamine into the interstitial catheter.What is the effect of this action?

Accepted Answer

Phentolamine is an a?-blocker that reduces peripheral vascular resistance.Phentolamine 5 mg to 15 mg in 10 mL of normal saline solution is administered into the interstitial catheter prior to removal,to direct phentolamine into the area of extravasation as soon as possible.This action causes á-adrenergic receptor blockade and vasodilation,which in turn increases blood flow to the ischemic tissue and prevents permanent damage.

Question 2

A 58-year-old male has had a myocardial infarction (MI).He has begun rehabilitation and is ready for discharge.When he is given a prescription for metoprolol (Lopressor ),he becomes upset and says,"I don't have high blood pressure! Why did my doctor give me this medicine?" What is the nurse's best explanation to the patient?

Accepted Answer

Because of their cardioprotective properties,b-blockers are frequently prescribed to patients who have suffered an MI.However,some contraindications may preclude the use of b-blockers for all post-MI patients.

Question 3

A patient is going home with a new prescription for the b-blocker atenolol (Tenormin).What important information should the nurse tell the patient about this drug?

Accepted Answer

Patients should be weaned off these medications slowly because rebound hypertension and chest pain are possible with rapid withdrawal.

Question 4

A 49-year-old male patient is in the clinic for a follow-up visit 6 months after starting a b-blocker for treatment of hypertension.During this visit,his blood pressure is 169/98 mm Hg,and he eventually confesses that he stopped taking this medicine 2 months ago because of an "embarrassing problem." What problem with this medication most likely caused him to stop taking it?

Accepted Answer

Impotence is a potential adverse effect of b-blockers and may cause patients to stop taking them.

Question 5

Which drug is used to help establish the diagnosis of pheochromocytoma?

Accepted Answer

Phentolamine is used in the diagnosis of this catecholamine-secreting tumour.

Question 6

A female patient has been admitted to the emergency department after an accidental overdose of an $\alpha$-blocker.Her daughter states that her mother called to tell her that she had taken two double doses that morning because the headache "just would not go away." The patient is now dizzy,nauseated,and very weak.What should the nurse do immediately?

Accepted Answer

In an acute oral a-blocker overdose,the patient's stomach should be emptied,usually by gastric lavage.

Question 7

Indicate the appropriate medication in the top list for each condition listed in the lower list.
-Glaucoma

Accepted Answer

A b-blocker drug is the best choice for glaucoma as it helps reduce intraocular pressure by decreasing the production of aqueous humor in the eye.

Question 8

Indicate the appropriate medication in the top list for each condition listed in the lower list.
-Benign prostatic hyperplasia

Accepted Answer

An alpha-blocker drug is the best choice for treating benign prostatic hyperplasia because it helps relax the muscles in the prostate and bladder neck, which improves urine flow and reduces symptoms like urinary urgency and frequency. Beta-blockers have no effect on the prostate and are typically used to treat high blood pressure and heart conditions. Combination therapy with both alpha and beta blockers is not commonly used for this condition.

Question 9

The nurse is teaching a patient about self-monitoring while taking a $\beta$-blocker at home.The nurse should teach the patient to measure apical pulse daily for 1 minute.What does the nurse instruct the patient to do if the pulse rate decreases to less than 60 beats per minute?

Accepted Answer

Cardiac depression can occur with $\beta$-blockers; thus,patients should be told to contact their physician if their pulse rate decreases to less than 60 beats per minute.

Question 10

Which $\beta$-blocker is indicated for the treatment of heart failure?

Accepted Answer

Certain b-blockers,such as carvedilol and metoprolol,have had the best results to date in the treatment of heart failure.

Question 11

A patient has received a prescription for prazosin (Minipress)to reduce urinary obstruction due to benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH).What important information about this medication should the nurse give this patient?

Accepted Answer

This medication is used to relieve impaired urinary flow in men with BPH,but it also has antihypertensive effects.Because of these effects,blood pressure may be dramatically lowered,and orthostatic hypotension and lightheadedness may occur until tolerance is developed.Fluids do not need to be restricted while on this medication.The patient needs to maintain adequate fluid intake to prevent urinary tract infection and to stay hydrated.Because of the possibility of lightheadedness,the first few doses should be taken at bedtime.

Question 12

Indicate the appropriate medication in the top list for each condition listed in the lower list.
-Migraine headaches

Accepted Answer

Both $\alpha$- and $\beta$-blocker drugs are used to treat migraine headaches.

Quiz 20: Adrenergic-Blocking Drugs

A patient has been on a dopamine drip,and the nurse notices that the infusion has extravasated into the tissue of the forearm.After stopping the infusion,the nurse immediately injects phentolamine into the interstitial catheter.What is the effect of this action?

A patient is going home with a new prescription for the b-blocker atenolol (Tenormin) .What important information should the nurse tell the patient about this drug?

Which drug is used to help establish the diagnosis of pheochromocytoma?

Indicate the appropriate medication in the top list for each condition listed in the lower list. -Glaucoma

Indicate the appropriate medication in the top list for each condition listed in the lower list. -Benign prostatic hyperplasia

The nurse is teaching a patient about self-monitoring while taking a $\beta$ -blocker at home.The nurse should teach the patient to measure apical pulse daily for 1 minute.What does the nurse instruct the patient to do if the pulse rate decreases to less than 60 beats per minute?

Which $\beta$ -blocker is indicated for the treatment of heart failure?

A patient has received a prescription for prazosin (Minipress) to reduce urinary obstruction due to benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH) .What important information about this medication should the nurse give this patient?

Indicate the appropriate medication in the top list for each condition listed in the lower list. -Migraine headaches

Quiz 20: Adrenergic-Blocking Drugs

A patient has been on a dopamine drip,and the nurse notices that the infusion has extravasated into the tissue of the forearm.After stopping the infusion,the nurse immediately injects phentolamine into the interstitial catheter.What is the effect of this action?

A patient is going home with a new prescription for the b-blocker atenolol (Tenormin) .What important information should the nurse tell the patient about this drug?

Which drug is used to help establish the diagnosis of pheochromocytoma?

Indicate the appropriate medication in the top list for each condition listed in the lower list. -Glaucoma

Indicate the appropriate medication in the top list for each condition listed in the lower list. -Benign prostatic hyperplasia

The nurse is teaching a patient about self-monitoring while taking a β\betaβ -blocker at home.The nurse should teach the patient to measure apical pulse daily for 1 minute.What does the nurse instruct the patient to do if the pulse rate decreases to less than 60 beats per minute?

Which β\betaβ -blocker is indicated for the treatment of heart failure?

A patient has received a prescription for prazosin (Minipress) to reduce urinary obstruction due to benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH) .What important information about this medication should the nurse give this patient?

Indicate the appropriate medication in the top list for each condition listed in the lower list. -Migraine headaches

The nurse is teaching a patient about self-monitoring while taking a $\beta$ -blocker at home.The nurse should teach the patient to measure apical pulse daily for 1 minute.What does the nurse instruct the patient to do if the pulse rate decreases to less than 60 beats per minute?

Which $\beta$ -blocker is indicated for the treatment of heart failure?