RN Exam Practice
Pharmacological and Parenteral TherapiesQuestion 1746 of 2368

A client with a cold asks the nurse when to take a decongestant containing phenylephrine. Which teaching is correct?

  1. Take the drug immediately before going to bed
  2. Do not take the drug within 2 hours of bedtime
  3. Take the drug only if the pulse is below 60
  4. Take a double dose at night for faster relief
Show answer

Correct answer: Do not take the drug within 2 hours of bedtime

Alpha-1 agonists can cause nervousness and difficulty sleeping, so they should not be given within two hours of bedtime.

Source: Nursing Pharmacology, 2nd edition (Open RN, Chippewa Valley Technical College, 2023), Autonomic Nervous System: ALPHA-1 AGONISTS. Licensed under CC BY 4.0.

Practice the topic "Pharmacological and Parenteral Therapies"

Questions last reviewed: 18 October 2026