Question

The nurse has completed medication education with the client who is receiving atenolol (Tenormin). The nurse determines that teaching is effective when the client makes which statement?

1. "I must call my doctor if I want to stop this medicine."
2. "I must take this medicine with food so it will be properly absorbed."
3. "I must avoid grapefruit juice when I take this medicine."
4. "I must check my pulse before taking the medicine, and call the doctor if it is less than 50."

Answer 1

The correct statement indicating effective medication education for a client taking a beta-blocker like atenolol (Tenormin) is the acknowledgment of the need to monitor the pulse and to contact a physician if it falls below 50 beats per minute.

Step-by-step explanation:

The nurse determines that medication education is effective when the client makes the statement: "I must check my pulse before taking the medicine, and call the doctor if it is less than 50."

This statement indicates that the client understands the important precaution of monitoring for bradycardia, which can be a side effect of beta-blockers like atenolol (Tenormin). Beta-blockers work by blocking beta-1 receptors, which can reduce heart rate and are commonly prescribed for hypertension. It is critical for patients to be aware of their heart rate and to communicate with their doctor if their pulse falls below a certain level, as this could indicate a potentially dangerous side effect of the medication.