Chapter 20: Adrenergic-Blocking Drugs
Sealock: Lilley’s Pharmacology for Canadian Health Care Practice
MULTIPLE CHOICE
1. Which drug is used to help establish the diagnosis of pheochromocytoma?
a. prazosin (Minipress®)
b. phentolamine (Rogitine®)
c. carvedilol
d. tamsulosin (Flomax®)
ANS: B
Phentolamine is used in the diagnosis of this catecholamine-secreting tumour. DIF: Cognitive Level:
Analysis
2. A patient is going home with a new prescription for the -blocker atenolol (Tenormin®). What
important information should the nurse tell the patient about this drug?
a. Never abruptly stop taking this medication.
b. The medication should be stopped once symptoms subside.
c. Change positions slowly to prevent or reduce postural hypotension.
d. Report any weight gain of more than 0.5 kg in a week or any problem with fluid buildup.
ANS: A
Patients should be weaned off these medications slowly because rebound hypertension and chest pain are
possible with rapid withdrawal.
DIF: Cognitive Level: Application
3. A patient has been on a dopamine drip, and the nurse notices that the infusion has extravasated into
the tissue of the forearm. After stopping the infusion, the nurse immediately injects phentolamine into the
interstitial catheter. What is the effect of this action?
a. It causes vasoconstriction and rapid uptake of the extravasated dopamine. b. It causes arterial
vasoconstriction and reduced pain and swelling at the site.
c. It increases peripheral vascular resistance and reduces arterial pressure at the site.
d. It increases blood flow to the ischemic site by vasodilation and prevents permanent tissue
damage.
, ANS: D
Phentolamine is an 1-blocker that reduces peripheral vascular resistance. Phentolamine 5 mg to 15 mg
in 10 mL of normal saline solution is administered into the interstitial catheter prior to removal, to direct
phentolamine into the area of extravasation as soon as possible. This action causes -adrenergic
receptor blockade and vasodilation, which in turn increases blood flow to the ischemic tissue and
prevents permanent damage.
DIF: Cognitive Level: Analysis
4. A 58-year-old male has had a myocardial infarction (MI). He has begun rehabilitation and is ready for
discharge. When he is given a prescription for metoprolol (Lopressor®), he becomes upset and says, “I
don’t have high blood pressure! Why did my doctor give me this medicine?” What is the nurse’s best
explanation to the patient?
a. This medication prevents emboli that may lead to another MI. b. -Blockers are routinely
prescribed for all post-MI patients.
c. It is being prescribed to prevent hypertension that often occurs post MI.
d. Studies have shown that this medication greatly increases survival in post-MI
patients.
ANS: D
Because of their cardioprotective properties, -blockers are frequently prescribed to patients who have
suffered an MI. However, some contraindications may preclude the use of -blockers for all post-MI
patients.
DIF: Cognitive Level: Analysis
5. A patient has received a prescription for prazosin (Minipress) to reduce urinary obstruction due to
benign prostatic hyperplasia
(BPH). What important information about this medication should the nurse give this patient?
a. Fluids should be restricted while on this medication.
b. Take the medication with breakfast to promote the maximum effects of the drug.
c. Until a tolerance is built up, lightheadedness may occur when standing up after sitting or lying
down.
Sealock: Lilley’s Pharmacology for Canadian Health Care Practice
MULTIPLE CHOICE
1. Which drug is used to help establish the diagnosis of pheochromocytoma?
a. prazosin (Minipress®)
b. phentolamine (Rogitine®)
c. carvedilol
d. tamsulosin (Flomax®)
ANS: B
Phentolamine is used in the diagnosis of this catecholamine-secreting tumour. DIF: Cognitive Level:
Analysis
2. A patient is going home with a new prescription for the -blocker atenolol (Tenormin®). What
important information should the nurse tell the patient about this drug?
a. Never abruptly stop taking this medication.
b. The medication should be stopped once symptoms subside.
c. Change positions slowly to prevent or reduce postural hypotension.
d. Report any weight gain of more than 0.5 kg in a week or any problem with fluid buildup.
ANS: A
Patients should be weaned off these medications slowly because rebound hypertension and chest pain are
possible with rapid withdrawal.
DIF: Cognitive Level: Application
3. A patient has been on a dopamine drip, and the nurse notices that the infusion has extravasated into
the tissue of the forearm. After stopping the infusion, the nurse immediately injects phentolamine into the
interstitial catheter. What is the effect of this action?
a. It causes vasoconstriction and rapid uptake of the extravasated dopamine. b. It causes arterial
vasoconstriction and reduced pain and swelling at the site.
c. It increases peripheral vascular resistance and reduces arterial pressure at the site.
d. It increases blood flow to the ischemic site by vasodilation and prevents permanent tissue
damage.
, ANS: D
Phentolamine is an 1-blocker that reduces peripheral vascular resistance. Phentolamine 5 mg to 15 mg
in 10 mL of normal saline solution is administered into the interstitial catheter prior to removal, to direct
phentolamine into the area of extravasation as soon as possible. This action causes -adrenergic
receptor blockade and vasodilation, which in turn increases blood flow to the ischemic tissue and
prevents permanent damage.
DIF: Cognitive Level: Analysis
4. A 58-year-old male has had a myocardial infarction (MI). He has begun rehabilitation and is ready for
discharge. When he is given a prescription for metoprolol (Lopressor®), he becomes upset and says, “I
don’t have high blood pressure! Why did my doctor give me this medicine?” What is the nurse’s best
explanation to the patient?
a. This medication prevents emboli that may lead to another MI. b. -Blockers are routinely
prescribed for all post-MI patients.
c. It is being prescribed to prevent hypertension that often occurs post MI.
d. Studies have shown that this medication greatly increases survival in post-MI
patients.
ANS: D
Because of their cardioprotective properties, -blockers are frequently prescribed to patients who have
suffered an MI. However, some contraindications may preclude the use of -blockers for all post-MI
patients.
DIF: Cognitive Level: Analysis
5. A patient has received a prescription for prazosin (Minipress) to reduce urinary obstruction due to
benign prostatic hyperplasia
(BPH). What important information about this medication should the nurse give this patient?
a. Fluids should be restricted while on this medication.
b. Take the medication with breakfast to promote the maximum effects of the drug.
c. Until a tolerance is built up, lightheadedness may occur when standing up after sitting or lying
down.
