Author Question: Clonidine (Catapres) is prescribed for a hypertensive patient. Which instruction should the nurse ... (Read 78 times)

Jramos095 · **on:** Jul 23, 2018

Clonidine (Catapres) is prescribed for a hypertensive patient. Which instruction should the nurse include in patient education?

a. You may have difficulty falling asleep while taking this drug.
b. If you have problems tolerating the drug, you may stop taking it.
c. Many patients taking this drug experience excessive salivation.
d. Take frequent sips of water to relieve dryness in your mouth.

Question 2

A patient is brought to the emergency department (ED) by ambulance. Friends arrive immediately after the ambulance and tell the prescriber and nurses that they were all working on the man's car, and he accidentally drank some antifreeze.

Alcohol also was involved. The first medication the nurse should prepare to administer is a. fomepizole (Antizole).
b. physostigmine (Antilirium).
c. calcium and sodium bicarbonate.
d. Prussian blue (Radiogardase).

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

Answer to Question 1

D
Clonidine, as do most indirect-acting antiadrenergic medications, causes xerostomia, or dry mouth, as a side effect. The patient should be encouraged to take frequent sips of water to lessen the effect.
Clonidine may cause drowsiness, not insomnia.
As with other antihypertensive agents, clonidine should not be withdrawn abruptly. The patient should never stop the medication, but rather should contact the prescriber.
Clonidine is likely to cause xerostomia, or dry mouth, not excessive salivation.

Answer to Question 2

A
Fomepizole should be administered immediately to prevent further conversion of glycolic acid in the system, which contributes to profound metabolic acidosis and further life-threatening com-plications.
Physostigmine is indicated for toxicity associated with anticholinergic agents.
Although calcium and sodium bicarbonate may also be given, they would be administered when hypocalcemia and metabolic acidosis, respectively, occur. The immediate goal is to stop the conversion of glycolic acid.
Prussian blue is indicated for exposure to radioactive material.