Adrenergic Medication Case Studies Practice Exam

Case Study 1: Levophed (Norepinephrine) IV for Severe Sepsis

Patient: 54-year-old female admitted with severe sepsis, receiving norepinephrine (Levophed) IV infusion for hypotension unresponsive to fluids.

Q1. Highlight the assessment findings that are most concerning for a patient on Levophed:

Q2. Which order should the nurse question?

Q3. Select all teaching points for Levophed:

Q4. Priority Actions: Blanching and pain at IV site (Order 1-4):

1. --Select--
2. --Select--
3. --Select--
4. --Select--

Q5. Matrix: Common vs. Serious Side Effects:
Q6. Which finding requires immediate provider notification?

Case Study 2: Clonidine PO for Hypertension

Patient: 62-year-old male with hypertension, prescribed clonidine 0.2 mg PO twice daily.

Q7. Highlight the assessment findings that are most concerning for a patient on clonidine:

Q8. Which order should the nurse question?

Q9. Select all teaching points for clonidine:

Q10. Priority Actions: Severe rebound hypertension (Order 1-4):

1. --Select--
2. --Select--
3. --Select--
4. --Select--

Q11. Matrix: Common vs. Serious Side Effects:
Q12. Which finding requires immediate provider notification?

Case Study 3: Dobutamine IV for Severe Decompensated CHF

Patient: 70-year-old female with severe decompensated CHF, receiving dobutamine IV infusion.

Q13. Highlight findings that are most concerning:

Q14. Which order should the nurse question?

Q15. Select all teaching points:

Q16. Priority Actions: Chest pain and palpitations (Order 1-4):

1. --Select--
2. --Select--
3. --Select--
4. --Select--

Q17. Matrix: Side Effects:
Q18. Which finding requires immediate notification?

Case Study 4: Flomax (Tamsulosin) for BPH

Patient: 68-year-old male with benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH), prescribed tamsulosin (Flomax) 0.4 mg PO daily.

Q19. Highlight the assessment findings that are most concerning:

Q20. Which order should the nurse question?

Q21. Select all teaching points for Flomax:

Q22. Priority Actions: Patient faints after standing up (Order 1-4):

1. --Select--
2. --Select--
3. --Select--
4. --Select--

Q23. Matrix: Common vs. Serious Side Effects:
Q24. Which finding requires immediate provider notification?

Case Study 5: Carvedilol after Myocardial Infarction

Patient: 58-year-old male post-MI, prescribed carvedilol 12.5 mg PO twice daily.

Q25. Highlight findings that are most concerning:

Q26. Which order should the nurse question?

Q27. Select all teaching points for carvedilol:

Q28. Priority Actions: Bradycardia and severe hypotension (Order 1-4):

1. --Select--
2. --Select--
3. --Select--
4. --Select--

Q29. Matrix: Side Effects:
Q30. Which finding requires immediate notification?

Case Study 6: Propranolol for Migraine Prophylaxis

Patient: 35-year-old female, prescribed propranolol 40 mg PO twice daily for prophylaxis.

Q31. Highlight findings that are most concerning:

Q32. Which order should the nurse question?

Q33. Select all teaching points:

Q34. Priority Actions: Wheezing and bradycardia (Order 1-4):

1. --Select--
2. --Select--
3. --Select--
4. --Select--

Q35. Matrix: Side Effects:
Q36. Which finding requires immediate notification?