Question

question 14 of 20
a client who had a recent myocardial infarction was brought to the emergency department with bleeding esophageal varices and is presently receiving fluid resuscitation. what first - line pharmacologic therapy does the nurse anticipate administering to control the bleeding from the varices?

• vasopressin (pitressin)
• octreotide (sandostatin)
• epinephrine
• glucagon

Explanation:

For a client with a recent myocardial infarction (MI) and bleeding esophageal varices, octreotide (Sandostatin) is the first - line pharmacologic therapy. Vasopressin (Pitressin) can cause vasoconstriction and increase the workload on the heart, which is dangerous for a patient with a recent MI. Epinephrine is mainly used for anaphylaxis, cardiac arrest, etc., not for esophageal varices bleeding. Glucagon is used for hypoglycemia or to reverse beta - blocker overdose, not for this indication. Octreotide is a somatostatin analog that reduces splanchnic blood flow and is safe in patients with a recent MI for controlling esophageal varices bleeding.

Answer:

B. Octreotide (Sandostatin)