Question

Metoprolol tartrate (Lopressor) is ordered for a client who has had a myocardial infarction. The nurse would expect which therapeutic result from administration of this drug? a. Increased urinary output b. Decreased coronary artery spasms c. Increased cardiac output d. Decreased resting heart rate

Short answer

d. Decreased resting heart rate

Step-by-step solution

Understand the Purpose of the Drug

Metoprolol tartrate (Lopressor) is a beta-blocker. Beta-blockers are primarily used to manage abnormal heart rhythms and to protect the heart from a second heart attack after a first heart attack.

Identify the Effects of Beta-blockers

The common effects of beta-blockers include lowering the heart rate, reducing blood pressure, and lessening the heart's demand for oxygen by decreasing its workload.

Match the Therapeutic Effects to the Options Given

Evaluate the given options: a. Increased urinary output - Beta-blockers do not typically affect urinary output. b. Decreased coronary artery spasms - While beta-blockers can reduce angina, this is not their primary therapeutic effect related to myocardial infarction. c. Increased cardiac output - Beta-blockers usually reduce the heart rate and contractility, thus decreasing the cardiac output. d. Decreased resting heart rate - Beta-blockers are known to reduce the heart rate, which decreases the workload on the heart.

Determine the Correct Option

Based on the information, the expected therapeutic result from administering Metoprolol tartrate (Lopressor) to a client after a myocardial infarction is a decreased resting heart rate.

Key concepts

beta-blocker effects

Beta-blockers, also known as beta-adrenergic blocking agents, are medications that reduce the workload on the heart and help it to beat more regularly.
They do this by blocking the effects of the hormone epinephrine, also known as adrenaline.
Beta-blockers are commonly prescribed for conditions such as high blood pressure, angina (chest pain), heart failure, and after a heart attack to prevent future episodes.
Here are some key effects of beta-blockers:

• Lowering the heart rate: By slowing down the heart rate, beta-blockers reduce the demand for oxygen by the heart.
• Lowering blood pressure: Beta-blockers work by dilating blood vessels, which reduces blood pressure and eases the heart's workload.
• Decreasing heart's workload: Reduced heart rate and lower blood pressure together mean the heart doesn't have to work as hard, which can be particularly beneficial after a myocardial infarction.

Understanding these effects is crucial for nurses and healthcare providers when titrating medications and monitoring patient responses.

metoprolol tartrate

Metoprolol tartrate, commercially known as Lopressor, is a specific type of beta-blocker that is often used in clinical settings to manage heart-related issues.
It is especially important in the treatment of myocardial infarction (heart attack), hypertension (high blood pressure), and chronic heart failure.
Some key points about metoprolol tartrate include:

• Dosage and Administration: Metoprolol tartrate is often administered in oral or intravenous forms, depending on the clinical situation.
• Mechanism of Action: It works by blocking beta-1 receptors predominantly found in cardiac tissue, which leads to a decrease in heart rate and myocardial contractility.

By understanding how metoprolol tartrate works, healthcare providers can better anticipate its effects on patients and apply this knowledge to improve therapeutic outcomes.

therapeutic results

When a medication like metoprolol tartrate is administered, healthcare providers monitor for expected therapeutic results to ensure the drug is having its intended effect.
For a patient who has had a myocardial infarction, several therapeutic results are particularly desirable:

• Decreased resting heart rate: A slower heart rate reduces the oxygen demand on the heart, which can be beneficial in recovering from a heart attack.
• Reduced risk of arrhythmias: By stabilizing the heart rate, beta-blockers like metoprolol help prevent abnormal heart rhythms.
• Improved survival rates: Studies have shown that beta-blockers, when used after a myocardial infarction, can significantly improve survival rates amongst patients.
• Reduced incidence of chest pain: By decreasing the workload on the heart, the frequency and severity of chest pain (angina) episodes can also be reduced.

Regular monitoring and patient assessments are essential to ensure these therapeutic results are being achieved, and adjustments to the medication regimen may be made based on patient response.