The nurse is discussing home management with a patient who will begin taking an al-pha-adrenergic antagonist for hypertension. Which statement by the patient indicates under-standing of the teaching?
a. "I need to stop the medication if my heart rate increases."
b. "I should not drive while taking this me-dication."
c. "I should take the first dose at bedtime."
d. "I will stop taking the medication if I feel dizzy."
C
Orthostatic hypotension is a common side effect of this class of drugs and is most severe with the first dose. Administering the first dose at bedtime eliminates the risk associated with this first-dose effect. Tachycardia is an expected side effect; if severe, it can be treated with other medications. Patients should not drive during the first 12 to 24 hours after taking these agents, because fainting and dizziness may occur, but they may drive after that. Dizziness is not an indi-cation for stopping the drug; patients who experience dizziness are instructed to sit or lie down until symptoms pass.
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