A nurse is caring for a client who has a new prescription for atenolol. For which of the following adverse effects should the nurse monitor the client?
A.
Bradycardia
B.
Anemia
C.
Hypokalemia
D.
Neutropenia
The Correct Answer and Explanation is :
The correct answer is A. Bradycardia.
Atenolol is a beta-adrenergic blocker (beta-blocker) that primarily affects the heart and blood vessels. It is commonly used to treat conditions like hypertension (high blood pressure), angina (chest pain), and after a heart attack to improve survival rates. Atenolol works by blocking the beta-1 adrenergic receptors in the heart, which slows the heart rate, reduces the force of contraction, and lowers blood pressure. While this effect can be beneficial for managing cardiovascular conditions, it can also lead to certain adverse effects, with bradycardia (slow heart rate) being one of the most significant.
Bradycardia (Answer A):
Since atenolol slows the heart rate by blocking sympathetic nervous system activity on the heart, it can cause bradycardia as a potential adverse effect. Bradycardia is defined as a heart rate of fewer than 60 beats per minute, which can lead to symptoms like dizziness, fatigue, or even fainting in some cases. The nurse should regularly monitor the client’s heart rate and blood pressure, as a significantly slowed heart rate may require dose adjustment or discontinuation of the medication.
Why Other Options Are Incorrect:
- B. Anemia: Atenolol does not typically affect the production of red blood cells, so it is not associated with causing anemia. Anemia, which involves a reduction in the number of red blood cells or hemoglobin, is not a known side effect of atenolol.
- C. Hypokalemia: Atenolol does not impact potassium levels. Hypokalemia (low potassium) is more commonly associated with diuretic medications rather than beta-blockers.
- D. Neutropenia: Neutropenia, a decrease in neutrophils (a type of white blood cell), is not a known side effect of atenolol. It is more likely to be seen with certain immunosuppressive drugs.
Thus, the nurse should primarily monitor for bradycardia when administering atenolol.