A nurse administering psychotropic medications should be prepared to intervene when giving a drug that blocks the attachment of norepinephrine to alpha 1 receptors because the patient may experience:

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

Sympathetic-mediated vasoconstriction is essential for maintaining normal blood pressure in the upright position. Blockage of alpha₁ receptors leads to vasodilation and orthostatic hypotension. Orthostatic hypotension may cause fainting and falls. Patients should be taught ways of minimizing this phenomenon.

A Nurse Administering Psychotropic Medications Should Be Prepared to Intervene