Anticholinergic Agents

The nurse is educating a client who has been prescribed atropine, an anticholinergic drug. Which instructions should the nurse provide to the client?

"Do not drive or operate machinery." (adverse effect include blurred vision and impaired ability to sweat)

Which patient statement indicates to the nurse that the patient is experiencing an adverse effect of hyoscyamine?

"I feel like my heart is going to jump out of my chest."

The health care provider has ordered scopolamine transdermally for motion sickness. Which statement by the client, prescribed transdermal scopolamine, indicates an understanding of the medication's administration guideline?

"I will change the patch every 3 days."

A client with asthma will soon begin treatment with atropine as an adjunct to a normal drug regimen. What teaching point should the nurse include in client education related to this new aspect of drug treatment?

"It's possible that your eyes will take longer to adjust to bright lights."

A 50-year-old client received atropine preoperatively. The nurse explains the symptom of dry mouth to client as which effect?

"The medication temporarily decreased your salvation."

A client is receiving propantheline as adjunctive therapy for peptic ulcers. The nurse instructs the client to take the medication at which time?

30 minutes before meals

Which symptoms will warrant the administration of atropine?

Bradycardia

A 70-year-old client is taking a cholinergic blocking drug. The family has noticed the client is a confused, excited, and not voiding normally. What would be the appropriate action by the nurse in this situation?

Instruct the client's family to withhold the next dose and the nurse will contact the prescribing provider

A 78-year-old client is about to begin home care and has been prescribed an anticholinergic. What should the home care nurse explain to the client and her family about this medication?

The effects of anticholinergic drugs include decreased gastrointestinal motility, decreased sweat production, and blurred vision. These effects put the older adult at increased risk of constipation, heat stroke, and falls. The risk of constipation can be reduced by increasing fiber and fluids in the diet. The risk of falls can be reduced by assisting the client during ambulation.

Some anticholinergic drugs have the same clinical indications in the pediatric population as in the adult population. Which statement accurately describes a difference between the populations related to the use of anticholinergics?

adverse effects to be more severe in children

A 75-year-old male client is experiencing extrapyramidal symptoms secondary to an antipsychotic drug. Which drug would the nurse expect the health care provider to order to relieve these symptoms?

anticholinergics

Which would the nurse include in a teaching plan for a client who is prescribed an anticholinergic agent?

avoiding activities that require alertness

Older clients taking anticholinergic drugs are more likely to have which symptoms?

blurred vision; constipation; confusion

A male client asks the nurse why he needs the preoperative anticholinergic medication ordered by the anesthesiologist. The nurse explains that anticholinergic drugs are given preoperatively to prevent which anesthesia associated complication?

bradycardia

The nurse is caring for a client with glaucoma and is aware that which category of preanesthetic medication is contraindicated in this client?

cholinergic blocking

Administration of which classes of medications can decrease secretions of the upper respiratory tract?

cholinergic blocking drugs

Unwanted anticholinergic effects include:

constipation and dry mouth

Anticholinergic drugs are used in ophthalmology to

dilate the pupils

A nursing mother is being prepared for an eye condition which requires a prescription for atropine. What nursing intervention should the nurse implement to assure safe and effective atropine therapy?

discuss an alternative feeding method until the atropine is no loner prescribed

A client who is going on a cruise is concerned about motion sickness and sees the health care provider, who prescribes scopolamine. The nurse informs the client that using scopolamine may cause the client to experience:

drowsiness

A 57-year-old female client has a history of two myocardial infarctions in the past 3 years. She presents to the health care provider's office with symptoms of an overactive bladder. She requests an anticholinergic medication that she saw advertised on television. What does the nurse expect the provider to do for this client?

explain to the client that the medication is contraindicated because of her medication

Anticholinergics do not block the effects of acetylcholine in the central nervous system.

false

The nurse is aware that cholinergic blocking agents will be used preoperatively for what type of anesthesia?

general (decrease respiratory secretions that pool in the lungs when the client's cough and swallowing reflexes are lost)

The client is scheduled for surgery in two hours. The physician orders preoperative administration of glycopyrrolate and meperidine. These drugs might be contraindicated for the client if the client had what disorder?

glaucoma

A client is administered atropine to increase the heart rate. What is the action of atropine?

it blocks the parasympathetic vagal stimulation

A client has been prescribed an anticholinergic medication. What instructions should the nurse provide related to safety when outside in hot weather?

keep well hydrated

An elderly woman is given scopolamine while on a cruise. She becomes very agitated and confused and is taken to the sick-bay of the ship. The nurse knows that which is a likely reason for these symptoms?

older clients have a greater chance of adverse reactions to cholinergic blocking drugs

A client is prescribed glycopyrrolate. The nurse understands that this drug may be administered by which route? (Select all that apply.)

oral; intramuscular; subcutaneous; intravenous

Which agent would a nurse expect to administer transdermally?

scopolamine

While caring for a home bound client, the nurse provides client education relative to a prescription for trospium chloride (Sanctura). Included in your teaching is:

this drug prevents sweating and heat loss and increases the risk of heat stroke if precautions to avoid overheating are not taken

The nurse is preparing a client for pacemaker surgery. The health care provider orders atropine to be given 30 minutes before the client is taken to the operating room. The nurse knows this medication is ordered for what reason?

to dry up respiratory secretions to prevent aspiration during surgery

Atropine is derived from the belladonna plant.

true

Atropine is the most widely used anticholinergic agent.

true