Question

A nurse assesses a client who is prescribed an infusion of vasopressin (Pitressin) for bleeding esophageal varices. Which clinical manifestation should alert the nurse to a serious adverse effect?

a.Nausea and vomiting
b.Frontal headache
c.Vertigo and syncope
d.Mid-sternal chest pain

Answer 1

Mid-sternal chest pain is the clinical manifestation alerting the nurse to a potentially serious adverse effect of vasopressin, which could indicate myocardial ischemia or infarction.

Step-by-step explanation:

The clinical manifestation that should alert the nurse to a serious adverse effect of vasopressin (Pitressin) for bleeding esophageal varices is d. Mid-sternal chest pain. Vasopressin can cause vasoconstriction, which might lead to myocardial ischemia presenting as chest pain. This is a potential sign of a serious condition, including myocardial infarction, and requires immediate attention. Other symptoms like nausea and vomiting, frontal headache, and vertigo and syncope are also adverse effects but are not typically indicative of life-threatening events.