Author Question: A patient given atropine (Atropine Sulfate) intravenously as a one-time dose for bradycardia now ... (Read 303 times)

folubunmi · **on:** Jul 23, 2018

A patient given atropine (Atropine Sulfate) intravenously as a one-time dose for bradycardia now reports a very dry mouth. What is the nurse's best response?

a. Notify the prescriber immediately.
b. Document the report as the only action.
c. Reassure the patient that this is a normal drug response.
d. Offer the patient the opportunity to brush his or her teeth and rinse the mouth.

Question 2

Which precaution is most important for the nurse to teach a patient who is receiving intravenous (IV) drug therapy?

a. Turn on your call light if the IV machine starts to beep for any reason.
b. Do not use the arm that has the IV running in it for any reason whatsoever.
c. Call me immediately if you start to feel any pain or burning in the arm with the IV.
d. If you think the IV is running too slowly, just push the up-arrow button on the machine once or twice.

Ksanderson1296 · **Reply #1 on:** Jul 23, 2018

Answer to Question 1

C
A dry mouth is an expected response to atropine, which inhibits oral secretions. The nurse should also offer the patient the opportunity to brush the teeth and rinse the mouth; however, the first action is to relieve the patient's concerns about this side effect.

Answer to Question 2

C
Pain and burning at the site are indicators of infiltration and extravasation. These indicators must be investigated as soon as they start to prevent tissue damage. Although it is helpful for the pa-tient to alert the nurse that the machine is beeping, it is not the most important precaution. The patient should never be told to adjust the flow rate. Depending on the specific location of the needle, the arm with the IV can be used gently.