Podcast
Questions and Answers
A patient taking diphenhydramine reports experiencing significant dry mouth. Which intervention is most appropriate to suggest?
A patient taking diphenhydramine reports experiencing significant dry mouth. Which intervention is most appropriate to suggest?
- Sipping water frequently or sucking on hard candy. (correct)
- Encouraging the patient to reduce their overall fluid intake.
- Prescribing an anticholinergic medication to manage the side effect.
- Administering a diuretic to reduce overall fluid volume.
A patient is prescribed dimenhydrinate for motion sickness. Which of the following instructions should the nurse include in the patient's education?
A patient is prescribed dimenhydrinate for motion sickness. Which of the following instructions should the nurse include in the patient's education?
- Administer the medication after the onset of motion sickness for best results.
- Increase fluid intake to combat potential diarrhea.
- Avoid activities requiring alertness, such as driving, due to potential drowsiness. (correct)
- Take the medication with an antacid to reduce GI distress.
An older male patient with a history of benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH) is prescribed diphenhydramine for allergic rhinitis. What potential adverse effect should the nurse monitor for?
An older male patient with a history of benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH) is prescribed diphenhydramine for allergic rhinitis. What potential adverse effect should the nurse monitor for?
- Tachycardia.
- Increased salivation.
- Urinary retention. (correct)
- Increased frequency of bowel movements.
A patient is experiencing a mild allergic reaction with urticaria. Which of the following medications would be most appropriate to administer?
A patient is experiencing a mild allergic reaction with urticaria. Which of the following medications would be most appropriate to administer?
A patient reports feeling constipated after starting diphenhydramine. Which of the following dietary recommendations is most appropriate?
A patient reports feeling constipated after starting diphenhydramine. Which of the following dietary recommendations is most appropriate?
A patient is prescribed an antihistamine for insomnia. Which type of antihistamine is most likely being used for this purpose?
A patient is prescribed an antihistamine for insomnia. Which type of antihistamine is most likely being used for this purpose?
A patient taking diphenhydramine reports feeling drowsy and dizzy. What intervention should the nurse implement?
A patient taking diphenhydramine reports feeling drowsy and dizzy. What intervention should the nurse implement?
Which of the following actions is the primary mechanism by which sedating antihistamines like diphenhydramine alleviate allergy symptoms?
Which of the following actions is the primary mechanism by which sedating antihistamines like diphenhydramine alleviate allergy symptoms?
A client is prescribed a sedating antihistamine for motion sickness. What is the MOST appropriate time to administer the medication?
A client is prescribed a sedating antihistamine for motion sickness. What is the MOST appropriate time to administer the medication?
A client taking a sedating antihistamine reports experiencing a dry mouth. Which of the following is the MOST appropriate intervention to suggest?
A client taking a sedating antihistamine reports experiencing a dry mouth. Which of the following is the MOST appropriate intervention to suggest?
A nurse is reviewing the medication list of an older adult client. Which of the following conditions, if present in the client's history, would warrant caution when considering the use of a sedating antihistamine?
A nurse is reviewing the medication list of an older adult client. Which of the following conditions, if present in the client's history, would warrant caution when considering the use of a sedating antihistamine?
A client who takes diphenhydramine is planning to attend a concert. What instruction is MOST important for the nurse to provide?
A client who takes diphenhydramine is planning to attend a concert. What instruction is MOST important for the nurse to provide?
A young adult is prescribed an enteric-coated medication along with a sedating antihistamine. Which instruction regarding administration should the nurse emphasize?
A young adult is prescribed an enteric-coated medication along with a sedating antihistamine. Which instruction regarding administration should the nurse emphasize?
A toddler is accidentally given an adult dose of diphenhydramine. Which of the following interventions should the nurse anticipate implementing FIRST?
A toddler is accidentally given an adult dose of diphenhydramine. Which of the following interventions should the nurse anticipate implementing FIRST?
A client with a history of asthma is prescribed a sedating antihistamine for seasonal allergies. Which assessment finding would warrant the MOST immediate concern?
A client with a history of asthma is prescribed a sedating antihistamine for seasonal allergies. Which assessment finding would warrant the MOST immediate concern?
A client with narrow-angle glaucoma is prescribed a medication. Which medication order should the nurse question?
A client with narrow-angle glaucoma is prescribed a medication. Which medication order should the nurse question?
Flashcards
Activated Charcoal
Activated Charcoal
Neutralizes medication in acute toxicity cases.
Acetaminophen
Acetaminophen
Used to lower body temperature.
Antihistamine Timing
Antihistamine Timing
Administer at least 30 minutes before activity.
Antihistamine Side Effects
Antihistamine Side Effects
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Diphenhydramine (Benadryl) Effects
Diphenhydramine (Benadryl) Effects
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Antihistamine Contraindications
Antihistamine Contraindications
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Antihistamine Interactions (Alcohol)
Antihistamine Interactions (Alcohol)
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narrow-angle glaucoma
narrow-angle glaucoma
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First-Generation Antihistamines
First-Generation Antihistamines
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Antihistamine Uses
Antihistamine Uses
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H1 Antagonist Action
H1 Antagonist Action
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Prototype Sedating Antihistamine
Prototype Sedating Antihistamine
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Common Antihistamine Side Effects
Common Antihistamine Side Effects
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Sedating Antihistamine Medication
Sedating Antihistamine Medication
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Managing Anticholinergic Effects
Managing Anticholinergic Effects
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Anticholinergic Effects
Anticholinergic Effects
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Study Notes
First-Generation (Sedating) Antihistamines
- Manage mild allergic reactions like seasonal allergic rhinitis, mild transfusion reactions, and urticaria (hives).
- Can be used during severe anaphylactic reactions causing hypotension, acute laryngeal edema, and bronchospasm.
- Treat motion sickness.
- These H1 antagonists are known for sedative effects and are contained in insomnia medications.
Prototype and Other Medications
- Diphenhydramine is the prototype medication.
- Dimenhydrinate is another sedating antihistamine.
Expected Pharmacologic Action
- Bind to H1 receptors, blocking histamine release.
- Mild cholinergic blockers, causing anticholinergic effects.
- Common anticholinergic effects include dry mouth, constipation, and urinary hesitancy.
Adverse Drug Reactions
- Mild CNS-related reactions like drowsiness and dizziness.
- Anticholinergic effects: dry mouth, constipation, urinary hesitancy.
Interventions
- Monitor clients due to sedation and dizziness.
- Advise against operating machinery or driving.
- Suggest switching to a nonsedating antihistamine for excessive sedation.
- Encourage frequent water sipping or hard candy for dry mouth.
- Recommend high-fiber menu choices or fiber supplements/laxatives for constipation.
- Monitor for urinary retention, especially in older men with prostate issues.
- Administer with food to reduce GI discomfort.
- For acute toxicity: use activated charcoal and laxatives and acetaminophen for fever and seizures.
Administration
- Do not crush or chew enteric-coated medication.
- Avoid alcohol or other CNS depressants.
- Administer for motion sickness 30 minutes (preferably 1-2 hours) before activity.
Client Instructions
- Take medication at or before bedtime.
- Suck on hard candy for dry mouth.
- Increase fluid and fiber intake for constipation, use laxatives if needed.
- Report urination problems immediately.
- Take the medication with food for abdominal discomfort.
- Instructions about how to stop taking the medication and when to seek medical car
Safety Alert
- Can cause significant sedation and drowsiness.
- Avoid driving, operating machinery, or activities requiring mental alertness.
Contraindications and Precautions
- Contraindicated in newborns and children under 2, and breastfeeding women.
- Contraindicated in clients with narrow-angle glaucoma, prostatic hypertrophy, or acute asthma exacerbation.
- Use cautiously in children over 2, older adults, and clients with asthma, urinary retention, open-angle glaucoma, hypertension, and impaired kidney or liver function.
Safety Alert
- Avoid in clients who have narrow-angle glaucoma, it can potentially cause a sudden and painful increase in intraocular pressure that could damage the optic nerve.
Interactions
- Increases the depressant effect of alcohol and other CNS depressants.
- Combined use can cause life-threatening CNS depression.
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Description
First-generation antihistamines manage mild allergic reactions, motion sickness and are found in insomnia medications. Diphenhydramine and Dimenhydrinate are examples. They block histamine release but cause anticholinergic effects like dry mouth.
