Nokea
A nurse is caring for a client with an arrhythmia. Which of the following would be most important for the nurse to do for a client with a life-threatening arrhythmia who is receiving an adrenergic blocking drug intravenously?
- A. Perform continuous cardiac monitoring
- B. Obtain pulse rate readings every 6 to 8 hours
- C. Assess respiratory rate every hour
- D. Obtain body temperature readings every 15 minutes
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: The patient with a life-threatening arrhythmia may receive an adrenergic blocking drug, such as propranolol, by the intravenous (IV) route. When these drugs are administered IV, cardiac monitoring is necessary. Patients not in a monitored unit are usually transferred to one as soon as possible. When these drugs are administered for a life-threatening arrhythmia, it is important to monitor the patient continuously with cardiac, blood pressure, and respiratory rate monitoring frequently.
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A nurse would administer phentolamine cautiously to a client with which condition?
- A. Recent MI
- B. Type 1 diabetes
- C. Renal failure
- D. Hepatic failure
- E. Peripheral artery disease
Correct Answer: A,C
Rationale: Phentolamine is an a-adrenergic blocker that should be used cautiously in clients who are pregnant or lactating, had a recent MI, or have renal failure or Reynaud's disease.
A client with cardiac arrhythmia is treated with a centrally acting antiadrenergic drug. The nurse would assess the client for which of the following as a possible adverse reaction?
- A. Lightheadedness
- B. Malaise
- C. Bradycardia
- D. Weakness
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: The nurse should monitor the client for malaise as a generalized reaction with antiadrenergic drugs that are centrally acting when administered to clients with cardiac arrhythmias. Lightheadedness, bradycardia, and weakness are the adverse reactions associated with peripherally acting antiadrenergic drugs.
A client is receiving nadolol as part of the treatment plan for hypertension. The client reports dizziness on standing. The nurse checks the client's blood pressure lying, sitting, and standing and notes a significant drop in the readings. When developing this client's plan of care, which nursing diagnosis would the nurse most likely identify?
- A. Risk for Injury
- B. Ineffective Tissue Perfusion
- C. Impaired Comfort
- D. Decreased Cardiac Output
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: The client is experiencing orthostatic hypotension, placing the client at risk for falls and injury. Ineffective Tissue Perfusion would be appropriate if the client was experiencing more rapid changes in blood pressure and/or changes in pulse and heart rate. Impaired Comfort would apply if the client was complaining of other adverse reactions such as dry mouth or constipation. There is no information provided that would suggest decreased cardiac output.
Which of the following adverse reactions would the nurse include in the teaching plan for a client who is prescribed labetalol?
- A. Hypoglycemia
- B. Insomnia
- C. Drowsiness
- D. Tachycardia
- E. Fatigue
Correct Answer: B,C,E
Rationale: Adverse effects from the use of a/b-adrenergic blockers like labetalol include fatigue, dizziness, hypotension, drowsiness, insomnia, weakness, diarrhea, dyspnea, chest pain, bradycardia, and skin rash.
A nurse is caring for a client who has been prescribed propranolol for angina. After administering the drug, which of the following would the nurse do?
- A. Ask about relief of symptoms and record responses on the chart
- B. Determine signs of infection in the client
- C. Monitor for sudden decrease in urine output
- D. Monitor for sudden increase in intraocular pressure
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: The nurse should ask about the relief of symptoms and record the responses on the client's chart. Determining the signs of infection in the client is part of the nurse's preadministration assessment, not the ongoing assessment. The nurse need not monitor the client for a sudden decrease in urine output and a sudden increase in intraocular pressure for a client receiving propranolol therapy for angina.