Question

Nurse is teaching a client who has hypertension and a new prescription for atenolol. Which of the following information should the nurse include in the teaching?

A: "If you miss a dose, you should take two doses the next morning."
B: "You should stop taking this medication immediately if you experience depression."
C: "You might experience an increased sensitivity to heat while taking this medication."
D: "You should contact your provider if your pulse rate drops below 60 per minute."

Answer 1

The correct teaching for a client with hypertension prescribed atenolol is to contact their provider if their pulse drops below 60 per minute since beta-blockers can cause bradycardia.

Step-by-step explanation:

A nurse is teaching a client who has hypertension and a new prescription for atenolol, a type of beta-blocker. Among the options provided, the most important information to include in the patient education is option D: "You should contact your provider if your pulse rate drops below 60 per minute." Beta-blockers like atenolol can lead to bradycardia, which is a slower than normal heart rate. If the patient's pulse rate drops below 60 beats per minute, it could signify that the dose of the medication is too high or the medication is not being tolerated well, thus necessitating contacting healthcare providers. Options A, B, and C are incorrect because you should never double up on a missed dose, sudden cessation of the medication can lead to adverse effects, and sensitivity to heat is not a known side effect of atenolol.