A patient with severe cirrhosis has a new prescription for propranolol (Inderal).The nurse will teach the patient that the medication is ordered to do which one of the following?

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

Propranolol is a beta-blocker that is commonly used in patients with cirrhosis to lower the risk for bleeding varices. It does this by reducing the pressure in the portal vein, which decreases the likelihood of varices rupturing and causing bleeding. Propranolol is not used to decrease systemic blood pressure, prevent the development of ischemia, or reduce fluid retention and edema.

A Patient with Severe Cirrhosis Has a New Prescription for Propranolol