Ivy Tech, Pharmocology
Ivy Tech, Pharmocology ( 41 Questions)
The nurse is giving the vasodilator medication hydralazine IV push to a client with a systolic blood pressure of 210. What nursing education would be most important to include for this client?
This statement is true. The nurse should instruct the client to avoid getting up without assistance, as hydralazine can cause orthostatic hypotension, which is a sudden drop in blood pressure when changing positions. This can lead to dizziness, fainting, or falls.
This statement is false. The nurse should not tell the client that upper arm pain is common with this medication, as hydralazine does not cause this side effect. Upper arm pain may be a sign of angina, which is chest pain caused by reduced blood flow to the heart. The nurse should advise the client to report any chest or arm pain to the prescriber.
This statement is false. The nurse should not tell the client to not alter the medication with birth control, as hydralazine does not have a significant interaction with hormonal contraceptives. However, the nurse should advise the client to inform the prescriber if they are pregnant or planning to conceive, as hydralazine may have some effects on the fetus.
This statement is false. The nurse should not tell the client to immediately report a dry cough, as hydralazine does not cause this side effect. A dry cough is more common with angiotensin-converting enzyme (ACE) inhibitors, which are another class of antihypertensive drugs.
Choice A reason: This statement is true. The nurse should instruct the client to avoid getting up without assistance, as hydralazine can cause orthostatic hypotension, which is a sudden drop in blood pressure when changing positions. This can lead to dizziness, fainting, or falls.
Choice B reason: This statement is false. The nurse should not tell the client that upper arm pain is common with this medication, as hydralazine does not cause this side effect. Upper arm pain may be a sign of angina, which is chest pain caused by reduced blood flow to the heart. The nurse should advise the client to report any chest or arm pain to the prescriber.
Choice C reason: This statement is false. The nurse should not tell the client to not alter the medication with birth control, as hydralazine does not have a significant interaction with hormonal contraceptives. However, the nurse should advise the client to inform the prescriber if they are pregnant or planning to conceive, as hydralazine may have some effects on the fetus.
Choice D reason: This statement is false. The nurse should not tell the client to immediately report a dry cough, as hydralazine does not cause this side effect. A dry cough is more common with angiotensin-converting enzyme (ACE) inhibitors, which are another class of antihypertensive drugs.