A patient who is taking amitriptyline (Elavil) reports constipation and dry mouth. The nurse will give the patient which instruction?

A) Interferon-B (IFN-B): Interferon-beta is a disease-modifying therapy (DMT) used for multiple sclerosis (MS) to reduce the frequency and severity of attacks and slow disease progression. However, it is not typically used during an acute exacerbation of MS. It is more commonly prescribed for long-term management of the disease.
B) Mitoxantrone: Mitoxantrone is an immunosuppressive agent that is used as a disease-modifying therapy for patients with more aggressive forms of MS. While it can be helpful in reducing the frequency of attacks, it is not the first-line treatment during an acute relapse. Mitoxantrone is often considered for long-term use when other therapies are not effective.
C) Glatiramer acetate (Copaxone): Glatiramer acetate is another disease-modifying therapy for MS. It works by altering the immune response to protect the myelin sheath. Like interferon-beta, it is used for long-term management, not for acute attacks. It is not typically used during an exacerbation of MS.
D) Methylprednisolone (Solu-Medrol): Methylprednisolone, a corticosteroid, is the standard treatment for acute exacerbations of multiple sclerosis. It works by reducing inflammation, which helps to decrease the severity of symptoms during an MS relapse. The nurse would anticipate this drug being prescribed to manage the acute inflammatory episode and speed recovery from the attack. This medication is often administered intravenously in high doses and then tapered as the patient stabilizes.

A) Beta 1: Beta-1 adrenergic receptors are primarily located in the heart and are responsible for increasing heart rate (chronotropy), the force of contraction (inotropy), and the conduction speed of electrical impulses within the heart (dromotropy). When a drug is given to increase heart rate and myocardial activity, it is stimulating the beta-1 receptors, which enhance the heart's performance..

B) Beta 2: Beta-2 receptors are predominantly found in smooth muscles, such as those
in the bronchi, blood vessels, and uterus. Stimulation of beta-2 receptors leads to relaxation of these muscles, including bronchodilation and vasodilation, which would not have a direct effect on increasing heart rate or myocardial activity.

C) Alpha 2: Alpha-2 receptors are primarily located in the central nervous system (CNS) and act to inhibit the release of norepinephrine, leading to a reduction in sympathetic nervous system activity. They have the opposite effect of what is desired in this case, as stimulation of alpha-2 receptors would actually lower heart rate and decrease myocardial activity, not increase it.

D) Alpha 1: Alpha-1 receptors are found in the smooth muscle of blood vessels and when stimulated, cause vasoconstriction, which increases blood pressure. While alpha-1 receptors do affect the cardiovascular system, they do not directly influence heart rate or myocardial contractility.