A nurse is teaching a patient newly started on metoprolol 25 mg twice daily for hypertension. Which statements should be included in patient teaching? Select all that apply.
Select All That Apply
Choose your responses, then check the answer.
Explanation
Beta blocker patient teaching: check pulse and hold for HR < 60 or symptoms (dizziness), NEVER stop abruptly (rebound HTN, tachycardia, angina, MI risk), expect and report fatigue/cold extremities/sexual dysfunction without self-discontinuing, and rise slowly to prevent orthostasis. Choice 5 is dangerous — telling patients to stop a beta blocker on their own when feeling tired is the EXACT cause of the rebound MI complication. Tapering is supervised.
The single most-tested beta blocker teaching point is "do NOT stop abruptly". Patients on beta blockers for HTN, angina, post-MI, or HF have the rebound risk; the medication must be tapered. Bronchospasm in asthmatics is also testable — non-selective beta blockers (propranolol) are avoided in asthma; cardio-selective (metoprolol, atenolol) are preferred but still cautious.
55-year-old started on metoprolol 25 mg twice daily for hypertension. The patient is asking how to take the medication, what to monitor, and what to avoid. The nurse provides comprehensive medication teaching.
Metoprolol — Cardio-selective beta-1 blocker for HTN, angina, HF, and post-MI; checked HR and BP before each dose.