NURSING PROCESS Atropine Flashcards
Which side effect will occur if large doses were given?
Tachycardia
Asses urine output. Why?
Urinary retention may occur
Gather client’s medical history. To whom is atropine contraindicated from?
If client has narrow-angle glaucoma, obstructive GI disorder, paralytic ileus, ulcerative colitis, benign prostatic hypertrophy, or myasthenia gravis
Which drug increase the effect of anticholinergics?
Phenothiazines and antidepressants
When monitoring heart rate, what would you report?
Tachycardia
Encourage client to have adequate fluid intake. Measure fluid intake and output effectively. What would report if changes occur?
Report if there is a decrease in urinary output because anticholinergics can cause urinary retention
When auscultating bowel sounds, what changes in bowel sounds would you report?
If there is absence of bowel sounds it may indicate paralytic ileus resulting from a decrease in peristalsis
Due to decreased peristalsis, when checking the feces what would you check for?
Constipation
To prevent constipation, what would you direct the client to eat?
Food rich in fiber and drink adequate amounts of fluids. Exercise if able
Atropine might cause CNS stimulation (excitement, confusion) or drowsiness, what interventions would you do?
Raise bedside rails who are confused and debilitated
Atropine decreases oral secretions and can cause dryness, what intervention would you do to alleviate that?
Provide mouth care
You can administer IV undiluted or undiluted. How much sterile water do you need if you are administering it diluted?
10 mL
Since atropine decreases sweat gland activity, what would you teach the client to do to prevent diminished sweat gland activity?
Avoid hot environments and excess physical exertion
Why would you teach a client who has glaucoma to avoid atropine drugs and read OTC drug labels that are contraindicated for glaucoma?
People with glaucoma should avoid drugs with atropine because anticholinergics cause mydriasis and increase intraocular pressure.
Since drowsiness is common when taking atropine, what would instruct the patient to avoid doing?
Driving or participating in activities that require alertness
What would you advise the client to avoid right before bedtime to avoid decrease in gastric acidity?
Avoid alcohol, cigarettes, caffeine, and aspirin
Why do you instruct the client to wear sunglasses in bright light when they have mydriasis following an eye examination?
Because the pupil is dilated, the eyes are very sensitive to sunlight or any bright light
Before taking atropine or any anticholinergic drug, what would you encourage the client to do?
Void before taking the medication
Why should the client void before taking atropine?
Urinary retention may occur.
What would you teach the patient to report regarding his urine output?
If it decreased
What are the common side effects that you would teach the client to know?
Dry mouth, decrease in urination, and constipation which occur in long-term use of anticholinergics
To avoid dry mouth, what would you advise client to do?
Maintain oral hygiene. Eat ice chips, hard candy, or chew gum
Since there is a decrease in output of salivary glands, what would you instruct the client regarding the eyes?
Since the eyes will get dry, encourage the client to use eyedrops to moisten dry eyes
What would you teach the client to take for his diet plan?
Encourage client to always drink fluids and eat food high in fiber to prevent constipation
What would you evaluate from the client’s response to the anticholinergic drugs?
If the drug regimen is working. Also determine whether constipation, urinary retention, or increased pulse rate is or remains a problem
