Ipratropium (Atrovent)

ATI-format individual drug card with NCLEX-focused assessment, safety, teaching, and source attribution.

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Ipratropium (Atrovent)

ATI class: Anticholinergic bronchodilator

Action

  • Blocks muscarinic receptors in airways to reduce bronchoconstriction and secretions.

Therapeutic use

  • COPD maintenance or exacerbation support
  • Bronchospasm support with beta agonists when ordered

Nursing assessment

  • Assess lung sounds, work of breathing, secretions, urinary retention risk, glaucoma risk, and response after therapy.

Administration

  • Inhalation
  • Nebulized
  • Nasal spray for selected indications

Side effects

  • Dry mouth
  • Cough
  • Throat irritation

Adverse effects

  • Paradoxical bronchospasm
  • Urinary retention
  • Worsening narrow-angle glaucoma if sprayed into eyes

Interactions

  • Other anticholinergics

Contraindications

  • Hypersensitivity

Precautions

  • Avoid spraying into eyes; use caution with glaucoma or BPH/urinary retention.

Client teaching

  • Use inhaler/nebulizer exactly as taught.
  • Report eye pain, vision halos, inability to urinate, or worsening breathing.

Medication outcomes

  • Therapeutic response with no priority adverse effects.

Antidote / rescue

  • No specific antidote is seeded; hold/question unsafe doses and manage toxicity per provider, facility, or poison-control guidance.

NCLEX priority cues

  • Eye pain/halos after nebulizer exposure is a glaucoma cue.
  • Anticholinergic urinary retention matters.
  • Worsening bronchospasm after inhaler is urgent.

Medication classes

BronchodilatorsAnticholinergics

Source attribution

Engage_MedTable_Ipratropium.pdf
ati-pdf
Google Drive source topic: Lower respiratory tract disorders
google-drive
Sentinel pharmacology API reference
sentinel-api
Manual ATI-format NCLEX normalization
manual-seed

Related study cards

Shows the medication class, ATI cues, source references, and connected study cards for this drug.

12 study links
Med classmedication class
Anticholinergics

Blocks parasympathetic activity, so secretions dry up, heart rate can rise, and smooth muscle spasms decrease.

Med classmedication class
Bronchodilators

Opens narrowed airways by relaxing bronchial smooth muscle or reducing vagal bronchoconstriction.

ATI cueClass
Anticholinergic bronchodilator

ATI medication class concept.

ATI cueNCLEX Priority Cue
Anticholinergic urinary retention matters.

ATI medication nclex priority cue concept.

ATI cueNursing Assessment
Assess lung sounds, work of breathing, secretions, urinary retention risk, glaucoma risk, and response after therapy.

ATI medication nursing assessment concept.

ATI cuePrecaution
Avoid spraying into eyes; use caution with glaucoma or BPH/urinary retention.

ATI medication precaution concept.

ATI cueMechanism of Action
Blocks muscarinic receptors in airways to reduce bronchoconstriction and secretions.

ATI medication mechanism of action concept.

ATI cueTherapeutic Use
Bronchospasm support with beta agonists when ordered

ATI medication therapeutic use concept.

ATI cueTherapeutic Use
COPD maintenance or exacerbation support

ATI medication therapeutic use concept.

ATI cueSide Effect
Cough

ATI medication side effect concept.

ATI cueSide Effect
Dry mouth

ATI medication side effect concept.

ATI cueNCLEX Priority Cue
Eye pain/halos after nebulizer exposure is a glaucoma cue.

ATI medication nclex priority cue concept.