A 50-year-old female patient received atropine and meperidine (Demerol) preoperatively. After surgery, the patient complains of mouth dryness. What is the nurse's best response?
A) "Preoperative medications decrease saliva production but it is temporary and will improve."
B) "This is the result of all of the blood and fluid you lost during surgery."
C) "You are probably dehydrated. The IV fluids you are receiving will correct the problem."
D) "The preoperative medication causes an electrolyte imbalance making your mouth feel dry."
A
Feedback:
Patients receiving anticholinergic drugs must be monitored for dry mouth, difficulty swallowing, constipation, urinary retention, tachycardia, pupil dilation and photophobia, cycloplegia and blurring of vision, and heat intolerance caused by a decrease in sweating.
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