Author Question: A patient takes a psychotropic medication that affects acetylcholine receptors. The patient ... (Read 28 times)

dejastew · **on:** Jul 19, 2018

A patient takes a psychotropic medication that affects acetylcholine receptors. The patient complains of dry mouth and constipation. What effect is the drug having on the acetylcholine receptors?

a. Activation
b. Antagonism
c. Stimulation
d. Paradoxical

Question 2

An older adult patient who takes trihexyphenidyl (Artane) for drug-induced parkinsonism begins taking diphenhydramine (Benadryl) for cold symptoms. The nurse should carefully monitor this patient for

a. polyuria.
b. tachycardia.
c. constipation.
d. hypothermia.

k2629 · **Reply #1 on:** Jul 19, 2018

Answer to Question 1

B
The patient's complaints indicate suppression of the parasympathetic nervous system, which is associated with antagonism of the action of acetylcholine.

Answer to Question 2

B
An anticholinergic effect on the vagus nerve causes tachycardia by removing the braking effect on the sinoatrial node. The additive effects of trihexyphenidyl and diphenhydramine would be likely to produce tachycardia, which could lead to cardiac decompensation in an older adult. In terms of priority of problems, hyperthermia may occur later, after toxic levels of anticholinergics had been ingested; constipation would be less life-threatening than cardiac decompensation. Anticholinergics cause urinary retention, not polyuria.