Question

A patient with severe hypertension is prescribed an antihypertensive drug that lowers blood pressure by causing a decrease in norepinephrine release. the patient complains of dizziness when rising from a reclining or sitting position. the patient also complains of vivid dreams and nightmares. which drug does the nurse anticipate in the patient's prescription?

Answer 1

The answer would be beta blocker.

Beta blocker is an antihypertensive drug that works by decreasing norepinephrine release. The reduce of norepinephrine would prevent vasoconstriction and increased heart rate. This two effect contribute to the orthostatic hypotension the patient describe.
Some of the drugs are lipophilic which means it can pass blood brain barrier, cause some effect like vivid dreaming. That is why the drug best to take on morning, not evening.