While preparing to discharge a patient who has started taking Lopressor (metoprolol) during their hospitalization, the nurse recognizes further teaching is necessary by which of the following statements:
A) "I should take my pulse every day before taking this medication."
B) "I need to stay on a low-salt diet to help control my blood pressure."
C) "I'll have to have my blood drawn frequently to monitor for toxic levels of this medication."
D) "I should contact the physician immediately if I notice any wheezing, difficulty breathing, or dizziness."

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

While Lopressor may require routine blood pressure checks, it is unlikely to cause toxic levels in the bloodstream. Taking one's pulse is not specific to Lopressor and should not be the only monitoring method. While a low-salt diet may help control blood pressure, it is not directly related to taking Lopressor. The most concerning side effects of Lopressor are related to respiratory distress, so it is important to notify the physician immediately if these symptoms occur. However, this is a common teaching point for many medications and may not warrant further instruction specific to Lopressor. Therefore, the best choice for the necessary teaching is C, to clarify that frequent blood tests are not needed to monitor for toxicity.

While Preparing to Discharge a Patient Who Has Started Taking