Chapter 21, Problem 1CTPQ

Summary Introduction

To describe:

A nurse is getting ready to administer atropine sulfate and an opioid, ordered as stranded preoperative medications, to a 75-year-old woman who will be undergoing minor surgery. When the nurse checks her medical history, she notices that she has a history of smoking and has angle-closure glaucoma. What will the priority action of the nurse at this time regarding administration of the preoperative medications? Explain the answer.

Concept introduction:

The parasympathetic nervous system is a part of the autonomic nervous system, in which the transmission of impulses is carried to the effector cells by the neurotransmitter, acetylcholine. The cholinergic-blocking drugs are used to block the effects of the parasympathetic nervous system.