A client taking atenolol may not exhibit the expected rise in blood pressure and pulse during the alarm stage.

A client taking atenolol may not exhibit the expected rise in blood pressure and pulse during the alarm stage.

• A. True
• B. False
• C. Not enough information
• D. Atenolol increases alarm response

Answer: (A)

The main idea is that beta-blockers blunt the body’s normal sympathetic fight-or-flight response. Atenolol blocks beta-adrenergic receptors in the heart, so when the alarm stage triggers catecholamine release to raise heart rate and blood pressure, the heart cannot respond as strongly. As a result, a client taking atenolol may not show the usual rise in pulse, and the blood pressure increase can be dampened as well. So the statement is true: the expected rise during the alarm stage may not occur because the medication blunts the heart’s responsiveness to stress. In practice, rely on additional signs of stress and monitor for signs of excessive bradycardia or hypotension, rather than focusing only on pulse and BP.

The main idea is that beta-blockers blunt the body’s normal sympathetic fight-or-flight response. Atenolol blocks beta-adrenergic receptors in the heart, so when the alarm stage triggers catecholamine release to raise heart rate and blood pressure, the heart cannot respond as strongly. As a result, a client taking atenolol may not show the usual rise in pulse, and the blood pressure increase can be dampened as well. So the statement is true: the expected rise during the alarm stage may not occur because the medication blunts the heart’s responsiveness to stress. In practice, rely on additional signs of stress and monitor for signs of excessive bradycardia or hypotension, rather than focusing only on pulse and BP.