Final answer:
Nurses should instruct patients on the proper use and potential side effects of anticholinergic drugs like atropine and biperiden, including the endpoint of treatment. For motion sickness treatments such as scopolamine, proper application of the transdermal patch should be explained, and alternatives like dimenhydrinate should be discussed if there are concerns.
Step-by-step explanation:
When a patient is administered an anticholinergic drug, such as atropine, to manage symptoms of nerve agent poisoning, specific instructions must be provided for safety and efficacy. Atropine works by blocking muscarinic acetylcholine receptors, reducing the effects of excess acetylcholine. However, since anticholinergic drugs can lead to incapacitation depending on the exposure level, nurses should advise patients on the potential side effects and safety precautions.
Similarly, drugs like biperiden might be used to counteract the central symptoms of nerve agent poisoning as they can pass through the blood-brain barrier more efficiently than atropine. Nurses should instruct patients that the endpoint of atropine treatment is the clearing of bronchial secretions, indicating that the drug is working as intended.
Additionally, for conditions like motion sickness, anticholinergics such as scopolamine might be prescribed. If a patient is applying a transdermal scopolamine patch, the nurse should be instructed on the proper application and potential side effects. For those who prefer not to use scopolamine, an alternative treatment such as antihistamines, for example, dimenhydrinate (Dramamine®), can be considered and discussed with the patient.