Beta blockers
Medication class detail with safety cues and nursing action focus.
Beta blockers
Examples: metoprolol, atenolol, propranolol, carvedilol
Mechanism
Blocks beta stimulation so heart rate, contractility, and blood pressure can decrease.
Used for
- Hypertension
- Rate control
- Heart failure
- Post-MI support
- Thyroid storm symptom control
Side effects
- Bradycardia
- Hypotension
- Fatigue
- Bronchospasm risk with nonselective agents
Nursing actions
- Check apical pulse and blood pressure before giving.
- Teach clients not to stop suddenly.
- Use caution in asthma/COPD and watch for masked hypoglycemia symptoms.
Hold / question cues
- Heart rate below ordered parameter
- Symptomatic hypotension
- New wheezing
Antidote / reversal
- No routine class-specific antidote or reversal agent is seeded for this class; hold/question unsafe doses, support ABCs, notify the provider, and use facility or poison-control guidance for toxicity.
NCLEX pearl
- Beta blockers put the brakes on the heart.
Individual drug cards
Check pulse and BP before giving.
Wheezing after labetalol is a priority.
Hold and question severe bradycardia or symptomatic hypotension.
Acute pulmonary edema or worsening dyspnea is priority.
Related study cards
Shows conditions, glossary terms, Drive entities, and source-linked cards connected to this medication class.
Hold and question severe bradycardia or symptomatic hypotension.
Acute pulmonary edema or worsening dyspnea is priority.
Wheezing after labetalol is a priority.
Check pulse and BP before giving.
Irregularly irregular rhythm.
New dyspnea, edema, S3, weight gain.
Crushing chest pressure, diaphoresis, nausea, shortness of breath.
Halos around lights, severe eye pain, nausea in acute angle closure.