NURSING PROCESS: ADRENERGIC AGONISTS

Question 1

What vital signs will you monitor while patient is in adrenergic drug?

Answer 1

All vital signs for future comparison.

Question 2

What information will you get from the client to prevent contraindications when adrenergic agonist drugs are planned to be prescribed?

Answer 2

Previous or current drug history. Especially beta blockers

Question 3

What decreases the effect of epinephrine and albuterol?

Answer 3

Beta blockers

Question 4

Determine clients history

Answer 4

.

Question 5

Adrenergic drugs are contraindicated to persons with?

Answer 5

Cardiac dysrhythmias, narrow-angle glaucoma, or cardiogenic shock

Question 6

What will you do with laboratory tests?

Answer 6

Compare results with future laboratory tests

Question 7

What will you plan for the patient taking adrenergic agonist drugs?

Answer 7

Client’s vital signs will be within normal/acceptable ranges

Question 8

If client receives an alpha-adrenergic agonist intravenously for shock, how often should blood pressure be checked?

Answer 8

Every 3 to 5 minutes or as indicated to avoid severe hypertension

Question 9

What do you monitor for dysrhythmias?

Answer 9

ECG (Electrocardiogram)

Question 10

What side effects will you report?

Answer 10

Tachycardia, palpitations, tremors, dizziness, and increased blood pressure

Question 11

What happens if there are high drug doses or continuous use of adrenergic agonists?

Answer 11

Urinary retention can result

Question 12

What do you monitor for urinary output?

Answer 12

Urinary retention and assess for bladder distention

Question 13

For cardiac resuscitation, how much epinephrine will you administer intravenously? How often?

Answer 13

1 mg (10 mL of a 1:100,000 concentration). 1 mg in one minute. May repeat in q3-5 min. In cardiac arrest, it may be given more rapidly

Question 14

What is the antidote?

Answer 14

Phentolamine mesylate (Regitine) 5 to 10 mg into the area of IV extravasation of norepinephrine (Levophed) and dopamine.

Question 15

What would you offer to avoid nausea and vomiting when taking the drug?

Answer 15

Food

Question 16

What else do you monitor in the blood?

Answer 16

Blood glucose levels may increase

Question 17

What would you teach to the client regarding OTC cold medicines and diet pills?

Answer 17

READ LABELS of OTC drugs. Many of these have sympathetic drugs that should not be taken if client is hypertensive or has diabetes mellitus, cardiac dysrhythmias, or coronary artery disease.

Question 18

What would you teach to the client regarding nasal sprays?

Answer 18

Continuous use of nasal sprays or drops that contain adrenergic agonists may result in nasal congestion rebound (inflamed and congested nasal tissue).

Question 19

How would you teach the client when using nasal sprays?

Answer 19

Spray should be used with the head in an upright position. The use of nasal spray while lying down can cause systemic absorption. Coloration of nasal spray or drops might indicate deterioration.

Question 20

How should the client use his bronchodilator spray?

Answer 20

Conservatively. Excessive use may cause tachycardia

Question 21

If client is using EpiPen, how would you teach them on how to use it?

Answer 21

Apply sufficient pressure to activate EpiPen while holding the device in place for 5 to 10 seconds

Question 22

Where should EpiPens be stored?

Answer 22

In cold and dark places, refrigeration is not recommended.

Question 23

What side effects would you teach the client to report immediately that may require dose adjustment?

Answer 23

Rapid heart rate, palpitations, nervousness, insomnia, dizziness

Question 24

What would you evaluate?

Answer 24

Client’s response to the adrenergic agonists and continue monitoring client’s vital signs, report abnormal findings