Adrenaline Adventures: Adrenergic Medications
After giving epinephrine to an older adult, which change would be most concerning for the nurse to report?
What is a significant increase in heart rate or blood pressure?
A client with myasthenia gravis reports severe diarrhea and muscle weakness after taking pyridostigmine. This could indicate which condition?
What is a cholinergic crisis, which is caused by excessive medication?
A patient has sensitivity to light after taking an anticholinergic drug. What can the nurse do to help?
What is providing sunglasses or adjusting lighting to reduce discomfort?
If a patient on phenytoin(Dilantin) misses a dose, what could happen?
What is an increased risk of seizure recurrence?
A patient stopped taking their prescribed medication. What is the nurse’s priority assessment?
What is identifying the reason for non-adherence, such as side effects or cost concerns?
When teaching a patient about midodrine for severe low blood pressure, which precaution is most important to emphasize?
What is avoiding lying down shortly after taking the medication to prevent high blood pressure while lying flat?
In teaching about the parasympathetic nervous system, which receptors are identified as stimulating smooth muscle activity?
What are muscarinic receptors?
A patient experiences nausea after starting carbidopa/levodopa for Parkinson’s. What should the nurse suggest?
What is taking the medication with food to minimize nausea?
Carbamazepine is ordered for a patient. Which history detail would require the nurse to question this order?
What is a history of blood disorders or bone marrow suppression?
A nurse is organizing collected patient data to determine care needs. This action is part of which nursing process phase?
What is the analysis or diagnosis phase?
A patient in the ER shows signs of shock. Which symptoms would indicate the need for an adrenergic medication?
What are low blood pressure, rapid heart rate, and decreased urine output?
Cholinergic drugs mimic which natural chemical in the body?
What is acetylcholine?
During a follow-up, which assessment is crucial for a patient on Parkinson’s medication?
What is observing for involuntary movements or worsening motor symptoms?
Which side effect should be closely monitored in a patient taking ethotoin for seizures?
What is gum overgrowth (Gingival Hyperplasia) or changes in blood counts?
Planning nursing interventions to achieve a patient’s health goals occurs in which phase of the nursing process?
What is the planning phase?
A client is on dopamine therapy. What should the nurse closely monitor to ensure safe and effective treatment?
What is tracking blood pressure, heart rate, and urine output continuously?
If a patient on an anticholinergic drug for peptic ulcers is having ongoing diarrhea, what should the nurse monitor?
What is electrolyte balance and signs of dehydration?
A Parkinson’s patient shows improved movement after starting a new drug. Which symptoms have likely improved?
What are reduced tremors, less rigidity, and improved mobility?
In elderly patients prescribed diazepam, which assessment is most important?
What is monitoring for excessive sedation or breathing difficulties?
When educating a patient on midodrine, which activity should they avoid soon after taking it?
What is lying down to prevent dangerously high blood pressure while lying flat?
Before giving propranolol for arrhythmias, the nurse notes a heart rate of 54 bpm. What should the nurse do next?
What is holding the medication and consulting the healthcare provider?
A patient complains of dry mouth while on mepenzolate. What’s the best intervention?
What is offering ice chips or sugar-free gum/candy to help relieve dry mouth?
A Parkinson’s patient taking labetalol reports worsening movement symptoms. What might be the cause?
What is an exacerbation of bradykinesia or tremors due to medication interaction?
Before giving a second dose of diazepam, which lab value is essential to check?
What is liver function tests due to the drug's metabolism in the liver?
A nurse teaching about seizure medications stresses the importance of which instruction?
What is taking the medication consistently and never stopping suddenly to avoid seizures?