A nursing student asks why albuterol, which is selective for beta2 receptors, causes an increased heart rate in some patients. How should the nurse respond?
a. "Adrenergic agonists can lose their selec-tivity when given at higher doses."
b. "Bronchodilation lowers blood pressure, which causes a reflex tachycardia."
c. "Some patients metabolize the drug diffe-rently and have unusual side effects."
d. "Systemic effects are intensified with in-haled doses."
A
Although albuterol affects the beta2 receptors, at higher doses it may also activate beta1 receptors, causing an increase in the heart rate. Bronchodilation does not lower the blood pressure, and ac-tivation of beta1 receptors actually may increase it. Tachycardia is a common side effect. The inhaled route reduces the likelihood of systemic side effects.
You might also like to view...
A patient who has been taking cyclosporine to prevent rejection of a kidney transplant has had diltiazem ordered. Why would the nurse question this order?
A) Serious diltiazem toxicity could occur. B) The combination may result in elevated or even toxic cyclosporine levels. C) The combination could lead to kidney rejection. D) A kidney recipient would not effectively excrete the diltiazem.
A patient is recovering from a colonoscopy with removal of polyps. Which teaching should the nurse provide?
1. "Rectal bleeding can occur up to a year after the polyps are removed." 2. "Rectal bleeding can occur up to 1 month after polyp removal." 3. "Contact the surgeon if any rectal bleeding occurs." 4. "Polyp removal weakens the intestinal wall, so bleeding may occur off and on indefinitely."
The nurse enters a client's room to check the client who began receiving a blood transfusion 45 minutes earlier. The client is dyspneic and has a bounding pulse
The nurse listens to the client's lung sounds and notes the presence of crackles in the lung bases. The nurse determines that this client is most likely experiencing which of the following complications of blood transfusion therapy? 1. Bacteremia 2. Fluid overload 3. Hypervolemic shock 4. Allergic transfusion reaction
The principle action of volume expanders during resuscitation is to:
a. address myocardial decompensation b. facilitate peripheral vasoconstriction c. maintain cardiac output and blood pressure