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?

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

The nurse should recommend that the patient discuss these side effects with their provider to determine if they are common and tolerable or if a change in medication is necessary. Holding the next dose without notifying the provider could potentially result in untreated hypertension. Reassuring the patient that the symptoms are common is not appropriate without further assessment and evaluation. Suggesting a different beta-adrenergic blocker is premature without first discussing the side effects with the provider.

The Nurse Is Caring for a Patient Who Has Recently