Question

The nurse is preparing to care for a patient who will begin taking atenolol (Tenormin). The nurse's knowledge of beta blockers prompts which action as part of the initial assessment? A. Asking if the patient's past medical history includes asthma, B. Encouraging a low.sodium diet C. Asking the prescriber to order a serum drug level. D. Taking the patient's blood pressure throughout the course of treatment.

Answer 1

Option A -Asking if the patients past medical history induces Asthma

Reason:

Atenolol works to block beta receptors on cells in the heart. But at higher doses, atenolol can block different types of beta receptors found in breathing passages. Blocking these receptors can lead to narrowing of breathing passages, making asthma or COPD worse.

When compared to other Non selective beta blockers Cardioselective ß blockers such as atenolol and metoprolol are at least 20 times more potent at blocking ß-1 receptors than ß-2 receptors. At therapeutic doses the ß-2 blocking effect, and therefore the risk of bronchoconstriction, is negligible.But At higher dose it may worsen asthma.Hence before starting treatment initial assesment regarding past history of Asthma should be done.