Author Question: The nurse has been doing medication education for the patient receiving atenolol (Tenormin), a beta ... (Read 103 times)

storky111 · **on:** Jul 23, 2018

The nurse has been doing medication education for the patient receiving atenolol (Tenormin), a beta blocker. The nurse determines that learning has occurred when the patient makes which statement?

1. I need to take my pulse every day.
2. If I have any side effects, I will stop the medication.
3. I cannot take this drug if I develop glaucoma.
4. I cannot continue to have my morning cup of coffee.

Question 2

The physician ordered prazosin (Minipress), an alpha-adrenergic blocker, for the patient. The nurse plans to do medication education. What will the best plan of the nurse include?

1. Instruct the patient to not take any OTC herbal preparations.
2. Instruct the patient to not take hot tub baths or hot showers.
3. Instruct the patient to decrease his intake of sodium.
4. Instruct the patient to wear sunglasses when outdoors.

jharrington11 · **Reply #1 on:** Jul 23, 2018

Answer to Question 1

Correct Answer: 1
Rationale: Beta blockers slow the heart rate; therefore the patient must monitor his pulse every day. Beta blockers should not be stopped suddenly. Caffeine is not prohibited with beta blockers. Adrenergic blockers, not beta blockers, are used to treat glaucoma.

Answer to Question 2

Correct Answer: 2
Rationale: Alpha-adrenergic blockers are vasodilators, and taking hot tub baths or showers could result in further vasodilation resulting in hypotension or fainting.
Alpha blockers do not cause photophobia; sunglasses are not required with this drug. There is no relationship between alpha blockers and sodium intake. It is a good idea to avoid herbal preparations, but this is not the primary plan.