Deck 15: Adrenergic Agonists and Antagonists

Question 1

A patient who has Raynaud's disease will begin taking an alpha-adrenergic blocker. The patient asks the nurse how the drug works to treat symptoms. The nurse explains that alpha-adrenergic blockers treat Raynaud's disease by causing:

A) decreased peripheral vascular resistance.
B) orthostatic hypotension.
C) reflex tachycardia.
D) vasodilation.

Answer 1

vasodilation.

Question 2

A patient will begin taking albuterol (Proventil) to treat asthma. The patient has no other chronic medical conditions. When teaching the patient about this drug, the nurse will make which recommendation?

A) Report rapid or irregular heart rate.
B) Drink 8 to 16 extra ounces of fluid each day.
C) Monitor serum glucose daily.
D) Take a calcium supplement.

Answer 2

Report rapid or irregular heart rate.

Question 3

The patient has been ordered to receive pseudoephedrine (Sudafed) to treat nasal congestion. The nurse performing an admission assessment learns that the patient has diabetes mellitus. What action is appropriate for the nurse to take?

A) Administer the medication as ordered.
B) Contact the provider to discuss a lower dose.
C) Give the medication and monitor serum glucose closely.
D) Hold the medication and contact the provider.

Answer 3

Hold the medication and contact the provider.

Question 4

A patient is taking doxazosin mesylate (Cardura) 1 mg/day to treat hypertension. The nurse notes a blood pressure of 110/72 mm Hg and a heart rate of 92 beats per minute. The nurse will contact the provider to discuss which change to the drug regimen?

A) Changing to a beta-adrenergic blocker
B) Decreasing the drug dose
C) Increasing the drug dose
D) Adding a diuretic

Question 5

Reserpine would be best categorized as which of the following?

A) Adrenergic neuron antagonist
B) Alpha blocker
C) Beta blocker
D) Alpha agonist

Question 6

An adult patient is brought to the emergency department for treatment of an asthma exacerbation. The patient uses inhaled albuterol as needed to control wheezing. The nurse notes expiratory wheezing, tremors, restlessness, and a heart rate of 120 beats per minute. The nurse suspects that the patient has:

A) overused the albuterol.
B) not been using albuterol.
C) taken a beta-adrenergic blocker.
D) taken a monoamine oxidase (MAO) inhibitor.

Question 7

The nurse is caring for a patient who is receiving intravenous dopamine (Intropin). The nurse notes erythema and swelling at the IV insertion site. What is the nurse's initial action?

A) Apply warm soaks to the area.
B) Monitor the patient closely for hypertension.
C) Obtain an order for an electrocardiogram.
D) Notify the provider of a need for phentolamine mesylate (Regitine).

Question 8

A patient who has asthma is diagnosed with hypertension. The nurse understands that which drug will be the safest to give this patient?

A) Pindolol (Visken)
B) Metoprolol (Lopressor)
C) Nadolol (Corgard)
D) Propranolol (Inderal)

Question 9

The nurse is caring for a patient who will begin taking atenolol (Tenormin). What information will the nurse include when teaching the patient about taking this medication?

A) The drug must be taken twice daily.
B) The patient must rise slowly from a chair or bed.
C) The medication is safe to take during pregnancy.
D) Use NSAIDs as needed for mild to moderate pain.

Question 10

A patient has been started on a treatment regimen that includes atenolol (Tenormin) and complains to the nurse of feeling weak and fatigued. Which is the best response from the nurse?

A) "I will hold your next dose of the medication."
B) "You may need an increase in your next dose of the medication."
C) "This is an adverse reaction to the medication. I will stop the drug."
D) "This is a side effect of the medication. I will notify your physician."

Question 11

The nurse is teaching a patient how to use phenylephrine HCl (Neo-Synephrine) nasal spray to treat congestion from a viral upper respiratory infection. What instruction will the nurse give the patient?

A) Stop using the medication after 3 days.
B) Spray the medication into the nose while lying supine.
C) Use frequently since systemic side effects do not occur.
D) Use the medication with any other over-the-counter medications.

Question 12

The nurse administers epinephrine to a patient who is experiencing an anaphylactic reaction. The nurse should expect which of the following?

A) Bradycardia
B) Decreased urine output
C) Hypotension
D) Nausea and vomiting

Question 13

The nurse is caring for a patient who has recently begun taking atenolol (Tenormin) to treat hypertension. The patient reports dizziness, nausea, vomiting, and decreased libido since beginning the medication. What will the nurse do?

A) Hold the next dose until the provider can be notified of these side effects.
B) Reassure the patient that these symptoms are common and not worrisome.
C) Recommend that the patient discuss these effects with the provider.
D) Suggest that the patient request a different beta-adrenergic blocker.

Question 14

A patient will be discharged home on a beta blocker. Which skill is essential for the nurse to teach the patient's family?

A) How to prepare a low-sodium diet
B) Assessments to detect fluid retention
C) How to monitor heart rate and blood pressure
D) Early signs of changing level of consciousness

Question 15

The nurse caring for a patient who is taking an adrenergic agonist will expect which side effects? (Select all that apply.)

A) Dilated pupils
B) Increased heart rate
C) Increase gastrointestinal motility
D) Vasodilation
E) Bronchospasm

Question 16

The nurse is caring for a patient who has asthma and administers a selective beta₂-adrenergic agonist to treat bronchospasm. The nurse will expect this drug to also cause which side effect?

A) Increased blood glucose
B) Increased blood pressure
C) Increased heart rate
D) Increased gastrointestinal (GI) motility