A patient who was recently diagnosed with hypertension and placed on propranolol (Inderal) is seen in the clinic for an unrelated issue. When the nurse notes that his blood pressure is elevated, she asks if the patient has been taking his medication and he says he quit because "I didn't like how I felt when I took it." Based on this statement, what would be an appropriate response?

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

BPropranolol, a beta-blocker, can cause side effects such as altered libido and impotence, which may lead patients, especially males, to discontinue its use. It's important to openly discuss these concerns (A). Also, abruptly stopping the medication without consulting a healthcare provider can have serious consequences, so advising against this is crucial (B).

A Patient Who Was Recently Diagnosed with Hypertension and Placed