The nurse is providing instruction about ipratropium (Atrovent) to a patient with COPD. Which is a common adverse effect that tends to resolve with therapy?
Dry mouth
Anxiety
Tachycardia
Urine retention
The Correct Answer is A
A. Dry mouth
Dry mouth is a common adverse effect of ipratropium (Atrovent) due to its anticholinergic properties. Anticholinergic medications can inhibit saliva production, leading to a sensation of dryness in the mouth. While uncomfortable, dry mouth tends to improve over time as the body adjusts to the medication. Patients can manage dry mouth by increasing fluid intake and practicing good oral hygiene.
B. Anxiety
Anxiety is not a common adverse effect of ipratropium (Atrovent). While some individuals may experience anxiety as a side effect of certain medications, it is not typically associated with ipratropium. If a patient experiences anxiety while taking ipratropium, it is essential to assess whether it may be related to other factors or medications and to consult a healthcare provider for appropriate management.
C. Tachycardia
Tachycardia (rapid heart rate) is not a common adverse effect of ipratropium (Atrovent). While ipratropium is an anticholinergic medication that can affect heart rate in some individuals, tachycardia is not typically reported as a common side effect. However, patients should be monitored for changes in heart rate and other cardiovascular effects while taking ipratropium, especially if they have pre-existing cardiac conditions.
D. Urine retention
Urinary retention is a potential adverse effect of ipratropium (Atrovent) due to its anticholinergic properties. Anticholinergic medications can relax the smooth muscle of the bladder, leading to difficulty emptying the bladder completely. However, urinary retention is less common with ipratropium compared to other anticholinergic medications, such as those used to treat overactive bladder. Patients experiencing urinary retention while taking ipratropium should consult their healthcare provider for further evaluation and management.

Nursing Test Bank
Naxlex Comprehensive Predictor Exams
Related Questions
Correct Answer is A
Explanation
A. Fatigue
When collecting data from a client with pulmonary tuberculosis (TB), the nurse should expect to observe fatigue as one of the common manifestations. TB is a bacterial infection caused by Mycobacterium tuberculosis, primarily affecting the lungs. Fatigue is a typical symptom experienced by individuals with TB, often resulting from the body's immune response to the infection, as well as the systemic effects of inflammation and tissue damage caused by the bacteria.
B. High fever in the early morning
While fever is a symptom of tuberculosis, it may not necessarily occur specifically in the early morning. Fever associated with TB can occur at any time of the day and may persist for weeks to months. The pattern of fever can vary among individuals and may not consistently occur in the early morning.
C. Edema
Edema, or swelling due to fluid accumulation in tissues, is not typically associated with pulmonary tuberculosis. Edema is more commonly observed in conditions such as heart failure, renal failure, or liver disease, rather than in TB.
D. Increased appetite
Increased appetite is not a typical finding in pulmonary tuberculosis. In fact, individuals with active TB infection often experience appetite loss and unintended weight loss due to factors such as decreased food intake, metabolic changes, and systemic inflammation associated with the infection.
Correct Answer is C
Explanation
A. Turn off the ventilator alarms before suctioning the client's airway.
This choice is incorrect because it goes against standard practice. Ventilator alarms are critical for monitoring the patient's respiratory status and detecting any issues with the ventilator or the patient's airway. Turning off alarms before suctioning can lead to missed alarms and potentially dangerous situations for the patient.
B. Provide mouth care every 10 to 12 hr with hydrogen peroxide.
This choice is incorrect because using hydrogen peroxide for mouth care is not recommended. Hydrogen peroxide can be irritating to the mucosa and may cause harm to the patient's oral tissues. Instead, gentle oral care with an appropriate solution, such as a mouthwash specifically designed for oral hygiene in ventilated patients, is preferred. Mouth care should also be provided more frequently than every 10 to 12 hours to maintain oral hygiene and prevent complications such as ventilator-associated pneumonia.
C. Place the head of the client's bed at 40° when supine.
This choice is correct. Proper positioning of the patient is crucial for optimizing ventilation and preventing complications such as aspiration and ventilator-associated pneumonia. Elevating the head of the bed to 40 degrees when the patient is in a supine position helps to minimize the risk of aspiration by promoting drainage of secretions away from the airway and improving lung expansion.
D. Reposition the client every 4 hr.
This choice is not directly related to care for clients receiving mechanical ventilation. While repositioning the patient every 4 hours is important for preventing pressure ulcers and maintaining skin integrity, it is not specific to mechanical ventilation care. However, it is still an important aspect of overall patient care, particularly for patients who are immobile or confined to bed for extended periods.
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