Question

shortly after treating your patient for a variety of cardiac dysrhythmias, your patient complains of dry mouth, blurred vision, palpitations, and sensitivity to light. which drug might you have administered too much of?

Answer 1

Too much of a ß-blocker medication, such as metoprolol or propranolol, could be responsible for symptoms like dry mouth, blurred vision, palpitations, and sensitivity to light, as ß-blockers can cause sympatholytic side effects and adverse cardiac effects, including bradycardia.

Step-by-step explanation:

If your patient complains of dry mouth, blurred vision, palpitations, and sensitivity to light shortly after being treated for a variety of cardiac dysrhythmias, it's possible that you may have administered too much of a ß-blocker medication. ß-blockers such as metoprolol and propranolol are commonly used to manage cardiovascular conditions because they block the ß-receptors associated with vasoconstriction and cardioacceleration. These drugs are beneficial for improving cardiac function, particularly in patients with congestive heart failure or those who have suffered a previous heart attack.

ß-blockers can cause side effects that are typical of sympatholytic activity; these include dry mouth, blurred vision, and other anticholinergic effects due to the blockade of the sympathetic nervous system. This blockade can also lead to bradycardia (slowing of the heart rate), which can contribute to palpitations and sensitivity to light as part of a vagal response. If too much medication is given, the risk of adverse effects increases, potentially leading to cardiac side effects such as bradycardia, or in severe cases, stoppage of the heart.