Ch. 24 Adrenergic Drugs Study Guide
Overall Suggestions:
Read over your chapter
Review Drug Summary Tables: Classifications, Uses, ADRs
Review NCLEX questions at the end of the chapter.
Autonomic Nervous System Review
What are the 2 branches of the Autonomic Nervous System? PSNS and SNS
What branch is most similar in action to Adrenergic Drugs? SNS
Review information in Boxes 24.1 and 24.2 on pg. 283
Adrenergic Drugs
What is another name for adrenergic agonists? sympathomimetics
What conditions are adrenergic drugs (such as epinephrine) used to treat? Asthma,
anaphylaxis, cardiac arrest, shock/hypotension, localized bleeding
Critical Thinking: What are some clinical manifestations of shock (Table 24-4) and how do
adrenergic drugs treat the symptoms?
Skin-pallor, cyanosis, sweating
CNS-agitation, confusion, disorientation
CV- hypotension, tachycardia, bounding pulses
Resp-tachypnea, pulmonary edema
Metabolic-acidosis
What are some common ADRs for adrenergic drugs? Hypertension, HA/dizziness, n/v, anxiety,
cardiac arrythmias
Review Nursing Alert for midodrine? (Ch. 24, Nursing Alert pg. 265) Causes supine HTN  only
give shortly after rising and NLT 1800.
What are some special considerations for older adults? Pre-existing cardiac conditions 
predisposed to cardiac arrythmias. More vulnerable to ADRs
Critical Thinking: Why are adrenergic drugs used with caution in patient with coronary artery
disease, hypertension, angina? They can cause angina pectoris and HTN.
Ineffective Tissue Perfusion
What are some ways that adrenergic drugs can improve tissue perfusion? Increases BP,
bronchodilation, increase HR and contractility
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What are some nursing interventions that are necessary to implement when administering
vasopressors? Monitor HR and BP-baseline and ongoing, cardiac monitor, IV patency 
extravasation,
Risk for Allergic Response
What are some triggers for an allergic response? Foods, animals, bites/stings, anything that
initiates a greater than normal IgE production
When/how should an epi pen be used? Compromised airway; BLUE to sky, ORANGE to thigh
When educating a patient about using an EpiPen, what are important points to include?
Seek medical care if used. Give at 90 degree angle. Swing out, then into outside of thigh, can
be given through clothing
Decreased Cardiac Output
What are some signs of decreased cardiac output? HYPOTENSION, brady/tachycardia, weak
peripheral pulses, cool/clammy skin, cyanosis
Critical Thinking: What actions do adrenergic drugs have that can improve cardiac output?
Vasoconstriction, bronchodilator, increase HR and contractility  increase SV  increase CO
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