Chapter 20: Adrenergic-Blocking Drugs

Question 1

Which drug is used to help establish the diagnosis of pheochromocytoma?

a. prazosin (Minipress®)
b. phentolamine (Rogitine®)
c. carvedilol
d. tamsulosin (Flomax®)

Answer 1

b. phentolamine (Rogitine®)

Question 2

A patient is going home with a new prescription for the -blocker atenolol (Tenormin®). What
important information should the nurse tell the patient about this drug?
a. Never abruptly stop taking this medication.
b. The medication should be stopped once symptoms subside.
c. Change positions slowly to prevent or reduce postural hypotension.
d. Report any weight gain of more than 0.5 kg in a week or any problem with fluid
buildup.

Answer 2

a. Never abruptly stop taking this medication.

Question 3

A patient has been on a dopamine drip, and the nurse notices that the infusion has
extravasated into the tissue of the forearm. After stopping the infusion, the nurse immediately
injects phentolamine into the interstitial catheter. What is the effect of this action?
a. It causes vasoconstriction and rapid uptake of the extravasated dopamine.
b. It causes arterial vasoconstriction and reduced pain and swelling at the site.
c. It increases peripheral vascular resistance and reduces arterial pressure at the site.
d. It increases blood flow to the ischemic site by vasodilation and prevents permanent
tissue damage.

Answer 3

c. It increases peripheral vascular resistance and reduces arterial pressure at the site.

Question 4

A 58-year-old male has had a myocardial infarction (MI). He has begun rehabilitation and is
ready for discharge. When he is given a prescription for metoprolol (Lopressor ®), he becomes
upset and says, “I don’t have high blood pressure! Why did my doctor give me this
medicine?” What is the nurse’s best explanation to the patient?
a. This medication prevents emboli that may lead to another MI.
b. B-Blockers are routinely prescribed for all post-MI patients.
c. It is being prescribed to prevent hypertension that often occurs post MI.
d. Studies have shown that this medication greatly increases survival in post-MI
patients.

Answer 4

d. Studies have shown that this medication greatly increases survival in post-MI
patients.

Question 5

A patient has received a prescription for prazosin (Minipress) to reduce urinary obstruction
due to benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH). What important information about this medication
should the nurse give this patient?
a. Fluids should be restricted while on this medication.
b. Take the medication with breakfast to promote the maximum effects of the drug.
c. Until a tolerance is built up, lightheadedness may occur when standing up after
sitting or lying down.
d. Blood pressure should be monitored because the medication may cause
hypertension due to vasoconstriction.

Answer 5

c. Until a tolerance is built up, lightheadedness may occur when standing up after
sitting or lying down.

Question 6

A female patient has been admitted to the emergency department after an accidental overdose
of an -blocker. Her daughter states that her mother called to tell her that she had taken two
double doses that morning because the headache “just would not go away.” The patient is now
dizzy, nauseated, and very weak. What should the nurse do immediately?
a. Administer activated charcoal
b. Force intravenous and oral fluids
c. Empty the stomach by gastric lavage
d. Administer a cathartic such as sorbitol

Answer 6

c. Empty the stomach by gastric lavage

Question 7

Which -blocker is indicated for the treatment of heart failure?

a. atenolol (Tenormin)
b. carvedilol
c. acebutolol (Sectral®)
d. esmolol (Brevibloc®)

Answer 7

b. carvedilol

Question 8

The nurse is teaching a patient about self-monitoring while taking a -blocker at home. The
nurse should teach the patient to measure apical pulse daily for 1 minute. What does the nurse
instruct the patient to do if the pulse rate decreases to less than 60 beats per minute?
a. Contact the physician for instructions.
b. Reduce the dose of the B-blocker by half.
c. Continue the medication, because this is an expected effect.
d. Skip the medication dose that day and check the pulse again the next day.

Answer 8

a. Contact the physician for instructions.

Question 9

A 49-year-old male patient is in the clinic for a follow-up visit 6 months after starting a
B-blocker for treatment of hypertension. During this visit, his blood pressure is 169/98 mm
Hg, and he eventually confesses that he stopped taking this medicine 2 months ago because of
an “embarrassing problem.” What problem with this medication most likely caused him to
stop taking it?
a. Urge incontinence
b. Dizziness when standing up
c. Excessive flatus
d. Impotence

Answer 9

d. Impotence

Question 10

Indicate the appropriate medication in the top list for each condition listed in the lower list.

a. An a1-blocker drug
b. A B-blocker drug
c. Both an -blocker drug and a -blocker drug

1. Migraine headache
2. Benign prostatic hyperplasia
3. Glaucoma

Answer 10

Migraine Headache: Both an a1 Blocker and B blocker drugs
Benign prostatic hyperplasia: An a1 blocker
Glaucoma: a B-blocker drug