Chapter 31  Adrenergic Antagonists

Chapter 31  Adrenergic Antagonists

Complete Chapter Questions And Answers
 

Sample Questions

1. The nurse administers an adrenergic blocking agent in order to prevent release of what
neurotransmitter?

A) Epinephrine

B) Norepinephrine

C) Serotonin

D) Gamma-aminobutyric acid (GABA)

Ans: B

Feedback:

Adrenergic blocking agents prevent norepinephrine from being released from the adrenal medulla or
from the nerve terminal from activating the receptor, which blocks sympathetic nervous system effects.
Epinephrine, serotonin, and GABA are not associated with this process.

2. What medication, if ordered for an 8-year-old patient, should the nurse question? (Select all that apply.)

A) Amiodarone (Cordarone) 400 mg orally per 24 hours

B) Labetalol (Normodyne) 100 mg orally b.i.d.

C) Phentolamine (Regitine) 1 mg intramuscularly 1 to 2 hours before surgery

D) Prazosin (Minipress) 3 mg orally t.i.d.

E) Carvedilol (Coreg) 6.25 mg orally b.i.d.

Ans: A, B, E

Feedback:

Amiodarone, labetalol, and carvedilol are not indicated for pediatric use and do not have established
pediatric dosages. Phentolamine and prazosin have established pediatric dosages and would not need to
be questioned.

3. A nurse is working with a patient who is taking an adrenergic blocking agent. While assessing the
patient’s medication history, the nurse discovers that the patient takes several alternative therapies.

Test Bank – Focus on Nursing Pharmacology (7th Edition by Amy Karch) 504

What herb is the nurse concerned may interact with the adrenergic blocking agent and affect the
patient’s blood glucose level?

A) Ginseng

B) Nightshade

C) Di huang

D) Saw Palmetto

Ans: C

Feedback:

Di huang is an alternative therapy that can lower blood glucose when used in combination with
adrenergic blocking agents. Ginseng increases antihypertensive effects; nightshade slows the heart rate;
and saw palmetto increases the risk of urinary tract complications when used in combination with
adrenergic blocking agents.

4. A priority nursing assessment for a patient who is to receive an alpha- or beta-adrenergic blocking
agent would be what?

A) Monitoring respiratory rate

B) Checking blood glucose level

C) Measuring urine output

D) Assessing heart rate

Ans: D

Feedback:

The most serious adverse effect would be severe bradycardia, so the nurse’s priority would be assessing
the heart rate. If the patient were identified as having diabetes, then monitoring blood glucose levels
would become important because these drugs can aggravate diabetes by blocking sympathetic response
including masking the usual signs and symptoms of hypoglycemia and hyperglycemia. Respiratory rate
could be impacted if the patient was identified as having a condition causing bronchospasm and
diabetes because the combination could worsen both conditions. Measuring urine output should be part
of the patient’s care, but it is not the priority assessment.

5. Bisoprolol (Zebeta) would be the drug of choice for which patient with a diagnosis of hypertension?

A) A 7-year-old patient

B) A 15-year-old patient

C) A 37-year-old patient

D) A 69-year-old patient

Ans: D

Feedback:

Bisoprolol is the drug of choice for older adults. It is not associated with as many adverse effects in the
elderly and regular dosing profiles can be used. This drug does not have an established pediatric
dosage. Although the 37-year-old patient is an adult, there are additional choices for this patient, with a
more favorable adverse effect profile.