Question

After teaching a patient with heart failure about beta blocking agents, the nurse recognizes that additional teaching is needed when the patient states, "While taking the medication, I will:

1. Weigh myself every day."
2. Check my blood sugar regularly."
3. Notify my health care provider if I become increasingly short of breath."
4. Monitor myself daily for an increased heart rate and blood pressure."

Answer 1

The patient should not check their blood sugar regularly while taking beta-blocking agents.

Step-by-step explanation:

The patient statement that needs further teaching is: 'While taking the medication, I will check my blood sugar regularly.'

Beta-blocking agents, also known as beta-blockers, work by blocking the beta-1 receptors and slowing down the heart rate. They are commonly used to treat conditions such as hypertension and heart failure. Beta-blockers do not directly affect blood sugar levels, so checking blood sugar regularly would not be necessary when taking this medication. However, it is important to weigh oneself every day, monitor for increased heart rate and blood pressure, and notify the healthcare provider of increasing shortness of breath.