What is a known adverse effect associated with dexmedetomidine?

What is a known adverse effect associated with dexmedetomidine?

• A. Tachycardia and hypertension
• B. Bradycardia and hypotension
• C. Hyperglycemia
• D. Increased respiratory rate

Answer: (B)

Dexmedetomidine is a selective alpha-2 adrenergic agonist used for sedation, and its most notable adverse cardiovascular effects come from reduced sympathetic outflow. This central sympatholytic action lowers both heart rate and blood pressure, making bradycardia and hypotension the principal concerns during use. There can be an initial, brief peripheral vasoconstrictive response that may cause a transient rise in blood pressure, but the clinically important and common pattern is slowed heart rate with lower blood pressure. Other options don’t fit because tachycardia and hypertension reflect increased sympathetic activity, hyperglycemia isn’t a typical direct effect, and respiratory rate is usually preserved rather than increased.

Dexmedetomidine is a selective alpha-2 adrenergic agonist used for sedation, and its most notable adverse cardiovascular effects come from reduced sympathetic outflow. This central sympatholytic action lowers both heart rate and blood pressure, making bradycardia and hypotension the principal concerns during use. There can be an initial, brief peripheral vasoconstrictive response that may cause a transient rise in blood pressure, but the clinically important and common pattern is slowed heart rate with lower blood pressure. Other options don’t fit because tachycardia and hypertension reflect increased sympathetic activity, hyperglycemia isn’t a typical direct effect, and respiratory rate is usually preserved rather than increased.