Name of Drug Mechanism of Indications Contraindications Side Nursing

Action and Cautions Effects/Adverse Responsibilities

Effects

Atenolol (Apo- Blocks beta1- Treatment of Contraindications: Frequent: Before

Atenol, Tenormin) adrenergic hypertension, alone ➢ Cardiogenic ➢ Hypotension ➢ Assess B/P,
receptors in cardiac or in combination shock manifested apical pulse
Dosage: 50 mg tissue. with other agents ➢ Uncompens as cold immediately
Frequency: OD Slows sinus node ated heart extremities before drug
Route: PO heart rate, failure ➢ Constipation is
decreasing cardiac ➢ Second- or or diarrhea administere
Classification output, B/P. third-degree ➢ Diaphoresis d (if pulse is
PHARMACOTHER Decreases heart block ➢ Dizziness 60/min or
APEUTIC: Beta1- myocardial oxygen (except with ➢ Fatigue less, or
adrenergic blocker. demand. functioning ➢ Headache systolic B/P
CLINICAL: pacemaker ➢ Nausea. is less than
Antihypertensive, ➢ Sinus Occasional: 90 mm Hg,
antianginal, bradycardia ➢ Insomnia withhold
antiarrhythmic ➢ Sinus node ➢ Flatulence medication,
dysfunction ➢ Urinary contact
➢ Pulmonary frequency physician).
edema ➢ Impotence ➢ Assess
➢ Pregnancy or baseline
decreased renal/hepati
Cautions: libido c function
➢ Renal ➢ Depression tests
impairment Rare:
➢ Peripheral ➢ Rash, During
vascular arthralgia, ➢ Monitor B/P
disease myalgia, for
➢ Diabetes confusion hypotension
➢ Thyroid (esp. in the , pulse for
disease elderly), bradycardia,
➢ Bronchospa altered taste respiration
stic disease Adverse/Toxic for difficulty
➢ Compensat Reaction in breathing,
ed heart ➢ Overdose EKG
failure may ➢ Monitor
➢ Concurrent produce daily pattern
use with profound of bowel
digoxin bradycardia, activity and
➢ Verapamil hypotension stool
or diltiazem ➢ Abrupt consistency
➢ Myasthenia withdrawal ➢ Assess for
gravis may result evidence of
➢ Psychiatric in CHF:
disease diaphoresis, dyspnea
➢ History of palpitations, (particularly
anaphylaxis headache, on exertion
to allergens. tremors. or lying
down), night
cough,
peripheral
edema,
distended
neck veins
➢ Monitor I&O
(increased
weight,
decreased
urinary
output may
indicate
CHF)
➢ Assess
extremities
for coldness
➢ Assist with
ambulation
if dizziness
occurs
After
➢ Do not
abruptly
discontinue
medication
➢ Compliance
with therapy
essential to
control
hypertensio
n, angina.
➢ To reduce
hypotensive
effect, rise
slowly from
lying to
sitting
position and
permit legs
to dangle
from bed
momentarily
before
standing.
➢ Avoid tasks
that require
alertness,
motor skills
until
response to
drug is
established
➢ Report
dizziness,
depression,
 confusion,
rash,
unusual
bruising/ble
eding
➢ Restrict salt,
alcohol
intake