Exam 17: Adrenergic Agonists

A patient with asthma uses albuterol [Ventolin] for wheezing. The nurse assesses the patient and notes vital signs of HR, 96 beats/min; RR, 18 breaths per minute; and BP, 116/78 mm Hg. The patient has clear breath sounds and hand tremors. What will the nurse do?

Because they cause vasoconstriction, alpha₁-adrenergic agonists are especially useful for:

A nursing student asks the nurse why epinephrine, and not other adrenergic agonists, is used to treat anaphylactic shock. What will the nurse tell the student?

A patient is receiving dobutamine [Dobutrex] as a continuous infusion in the immediate postoperative period. The patient also is receiving a diuretic. What adverse drug reactions are possible in this patient?

A nurse is teaching parents how to use an EpiPen for their child, who has a peanut allergy. Which statement by the parents indicates understanding of the teaching?

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 patient is admitted to the intensive care unit for treatment of shock. The prescriber orders isoproterenol [Isuprel]. The nurse expects this drug to increase tissue perfusion in this patient by activating:

A nursing student asks the nurse about receptor specificity of adrenergic agonist medications. What will the nurse say?

A patient brought to the emergency department requires sutures. The prescriber orders a local anesthetic with epinephrine. The nurse understands that epinephrine is ordered to:

Dopamine is administered to a patient who has been experiencing hypotensive episodes. Other than an increase in blood pressure, which indicator would the nurse use to evaluate a successful response?

A nurse is teaching a nursing student about the two classes of adrenergic agonist drugs. Which statement by the nursing student indicates understanding of the teaching?