Atropine

Nursing
Drug Name Dosage & Route Action Indication Adverse Effects Contraindication
Responsibility
Assessment & Drug
Preanesthesia Acts by selectively Adjunct in CNS: Headache, Hypersensitivity to Effects
ATROPINE SULFATE blocking all symptomatic ataxia, dizziness, belladonna alkaloids;
Adult: IV/IM/SC muscarinic treatment of GI excitement, synechiae; angle-  Monitor vital signs.
(a'troe-peen) 0.2–1 mg 30–60 min responses to disorders (e.g., irritability, closure glaucoma; HR is a sensitive
before surgery acetylcholine peptic ulcer, convulsions, parotitis; obstructive indicator of patient's
Atropair , Atropisol, Child: IV/IM/SC <5 (ACh), whether pylorospasm, GI drowsiness, uropathy, e.g., bladder response to atropine.
Isopto Atropine kg, 0.02 mg/kg; >5 kg, excitatory or hypermotility, fatigue, weakness; neck obstruction Be alert to changes in
0.01–0.02 mg/kg 30– inhibitory. irritable bowel mental depression, caused by prostatic quality, rate, and
60 min before surgery Selective syndrome) and confusion, hypertrophy; intestinal rhythm of HR and
---- depression of CNS spastic disorders of disorientation, atony, paralytic ileus, respiration and to
relieves rigidity biliary tract. Relaxes hallucinations. obstructive diseases of changes in BP and
Classifications: Arrhythmias and tremor of upper GI tract and GI tract, severe temperature.
Parkinson's colon during CV: Hypertension ulcerative colitis, toxic
Adult: IV/IM 0.5–1 syndrome. hypotonic or hypotension, megacolon;  Initial paradoxical
AUTONOMIC
mg q1–2h prn (max: 2 Antisecretory radiography. ventricular tachycardia secondary bradycardia
NERVOUS SYSTEM action (vagolytic
mg) Ophthalmic Use: To tachycardia, to cardiac insufficiency following IV
AGENT; effect) suppresses
Child: IV/IM 0.01– produce mydriasis palpitation, or thyrotoxicosis; acute atropine usually lasts
0.03 mg/kg for 1–2 sweating, and cycloplegia paradoxical hemorrhage; only 1–2 min; it most
ANTICHOLINERGIC lacrimation, before refraction and bradycardia, AV myasthenia gravis. likely occurs when
doses
(PARA- salivation, and for treatment of dissociation, atrial IV is administered
----
SYMPATHOLYTIC); secretions from anterior uveitis and or ventricular  Safety during slowly (more than 1
nose, mouth, iritis. Preoperative fibrillation. pregnancy min) or when small
Organophosphate
ANTIMUSCARINIC pharynx, and Use: To suppress (category C) or doses (less than 0.5
Antidote bronchi. Blocks salivation, GI: Dry mouth lactation is not mg) are used.
vagal impulses to perspiration, and established. Postural hypotension
Adult: IV/IM 1–2 mg with thirst,
heart with respiratory tract occurs when patient
q5–60min until dysphagia, loss of
resulting decrease secretions; to reduce ambulates too soon
muscarinic signs and taste; nausea,
in AV conduction incidence of after parenteral
symptoms subside vomiting,
time, increase in laryngospasm, reflex administration.
(may need up to 50 constipation,
heart rate and bradycardia
mg) delayed gastric
cardiac output, and arrhythmia, and
Child: IV/IM 0.05 emptying, antral
shortened PR hypotension during
mg/kg q10–30 min stasis, paralytic
interval. general anesthesia.
until muscarinic signs ileus.  Note: Frequent and
and symptoms subside continued use of eye
preparations, as well as
Urogenital: overdosage, can have
Cardiac Uses: For Urinary hesitancy systemic effects. Some
sinus bradycardia or and retention, atropine deaths have
COPD asystole during CPR dysuria, impotence. resulted from systemic
Adult: Inhalation
0.025 mg/kg diluted absorption following
with 3–5 mL saline, or that is induced by Skin: Flushed, dry ocular administration
via nebulizer 3–4 drugs or toxic skin; anhidrosis, in infants and children.
times daily (max: 2.5 substances (e.g., rash, urticaria,
mg/d) pilocarpine, beta- contact dermatitis,  Monitor I&O,
Child: Inhalation adrenergic blockers, allergic especially in older
0.03–0.05 mg/kg organophosphate conjunctivitis, adults and patients
diluted with 3–5 mL pesticides, and fixed-drug who have had
saline, via nebulizer 3– Amanita mushroom eruption. surgery (drug may
4 times daily poisoning); for contribute to urinary
--- management of Special Senses: retention). Palpate
selected patients Mydriasis, blurred lower abdomen for
Uveitis with symptomatic vision, distention. Have
Adult/Child: sinus bradycardia photophobia, patient void before
Ophthalmic 1–2 and associated increased giving atropine.
drops of solution or hypotension and intraocular
small amount of ventricular pressure,
ointment in eye up to irritability; for cycloplegia, eye
t.i.d. diagnosis of sinus dryness, local
node dysfunction redness.
and in evaluation of
coronary artery
disease during atrial
pacing