Author Question: A patient taking reserpine (Serpasil) for hypertension is admitted to the hospital. Upon assessment, ... (Read 59 times)

shenderson6 · **on:** Jul 23, 2018

A patient taking reserpine (Serpasil) for hypertension is admitted to the hospital. Upon assessment, the patient's vital signs reveal: pulse 58/minute, BP 108/42, temperature 98.0 F, respirations 16/minute.

The nurse is correct to suspect that the patient has experienced which of the following effects?
a. Toxicity
b. A side effect
c. A severe allergic reaction
d. A nontherapeutic response

Question 2

The nurse is teaching a pharmacology class to a group of student nurses. Which key events does the nurse include in the history of pharmacology?

1. Early researchers used themselves and animals as test subjects.
2. Pharmacologists began to synthesize drugs in the laboratory in the 20th century.
3. Modern pharmacology began in the mid-1600s.
4. The first drugs included morphine, cocaine, and penicillin.
5. The Dark Ages provided much useful information that we still use today.

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

Answer to Question 1

ANS: B
Centrally acting alpha-adrenergic blockers, such as reserpine, stimulate alpha receptors in the central nervous system to inhibit vasoconstriction, thus reducing peripheral resistance; they therefore are used to treat hypotension. Common side effects include bradycardia, which the patient is exhibiting.
Reserpine toxicity results in severe bradycardia and marked hypotension, neither of which is evident in this patient.
There is no indication that a severe allergic response has occurred in this patient.
The patient's blood pressure is within normal limits, therefore a therapeutic response has occurred.

Answer to Question 2

Correct Answer: 1,2
Rationale 1: Early researchers did use themselves and animals as test subjects.
Rationale 2: Pharmacologists did begin to synthesize drugs in the laboratory in the 20th century.
Rationale 3: Modern pharmacology began in the 1800s, not 1600s.
Rationale 4: The first drugs included morphine and cocaine, but not penicillin.
Rationale 5: Little is known about pharmacology during the Dark Ages.
Global Rationale: The nurse would state that early researchers did use themselves and animals as test subjects; pharmacologists did begin to synthesize drugs in the laboratory in the 20th century; and modern pharmacology began in the 1800s, not 1600s. The first drugs included morphine and cocaine, but not penicillin. Little is known about pharmacology during the Dark Ages.