A 27-year-old male is taking an anticholinergic drug as adjunctive therapy to treat his peptic ulcer disease. The client comes to the clinic and tells the nurse that he "feels his heart beating." What adverse effect is the client experiencing from the anticholinergic medication?

Bethanechol is not indicated for the relief of severe pain following a transurethral resection of the prostate (TURP). Pain management for postoperative discomfort typically involves analgesics such as opioids or nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs), depending on the severity of pain. Therefore, this option is incorrect.

B) Frequent episodes of painful urination:
While frequent episodes of painful urination may occur after a TURP due to irritation of the urinary tract, bethanechol is not typically administered to address this symptom. Painful urination is often managed with analgesics and may improve as the urinary tract heals. Therefore, this option is incorrect.

C) An inability to void:
This is the correct response. Bethanechol is a cholinergic agonist that stimulates bladder contraction and can be used to treat urinary retention or an inability to void following surgical procedures such as TURP. By increasing bladder tone and promoting urination, bethanechol helps relieve urinary retention and prevents complications associated with prolonged bladder distension.

D) Bladder spasms:
While bladder spasms may occur postoperatively following a TURP, bethanechol is not typically administered to address this symptom. Bladder spasms are often managed with anticholinergic medications or muscle relaxants to reduce involuntary contractions of the bladder. Therefore, this option is incorrect.”

A) Temperature and respiratory rate:
While monitoring temperature and respiratory rate are important aspects of a comprehensive assessment, they are not the priority assessments before administering metoprolol. Metoprolol is a beta-blocker primarily used to lower heart rate and blood pressure, so assessing the client's heart rate and blood pressure is more relevant.

B) Heart rate and blood pressure:
This is the correct answer. Before administering metoprolol, it is essential to assess the client's heart rate and blood pressure. Metoprolol is a beta-blocker medication that primarily affects heart rate and blood pressure. Monitoring these vital signs helps ensure that the medication is administered safely and effectively.

C) Level of consciousness and pain level:
Assessing the client's level of consciousness and pain level are important aspects of nursing care, but they are not the priority assessments before administering metoprolol. These assessments may be relevant depending on the client's overall condition and specific care needs, but they are not directly related to the action or side effects of metoprolol.

D) Oxygen saturation and respiratory rate:
Monitoring oxygen saturation and respiratory rate are important aspects of respiratory assessment, but they are not the priority assessments before administering metoprolol. While metoprolol can affect respiratory function as a potential side effect, its primary action is on heart rate and blood pressure. Therefore, assessing heart rate and blood pressure are more pertinent before administering this medication.