A patient is taking atenolol for high blood pressure. Prior to taking the medicine, the patient noticed that their heart rate is 49 bpm. A nurse would advise to take the medication. True False
The correct answer and explanation is:
False.
Atenolol is a beta-blocker used to manage high blood pressure by slowing down the heart rate and reducing the workload on the heart. If a patient already has a low heart rate, such as 49 beats per minute, caution is necessary before taking atenolol. A normal resting heart rate for adults ranges between 60 and 100 beats per minute. A heart rate of 49 bpm is considered bradycardia, which means the heart is beating slower than normal.
Taking atenolol in a patient with bradycardia can worsen the slow heart rate, potentially leading to symptoms like dizziness, fatigue, weakness, or even fainting due to insufficient blood flow to the body. It may also increase the risk of heart block or other cardiac complications.
Therefore, a nurse would likely advise the patient to hold off on taking the medication and report the low heart rate to the prescribing healthcare provider. The provider might adjust the dose, switch to a different medication, or perform further assessments before continuing treatment. Monitoring vital signs regularly is essential when starting or adjusting beta-blocker therapy.
In summary, because atenolol decreases heart rate, it should not be taken if the heart rate is already abnormally low. Patient safety requires careful evaluation of heart rate before administering this medication.