A nurse is caring for a client in a clinic. Exhibits For each body system below, click to specify the adverse effect that the nurse should include in the teaching. Choose the most likely response for the dropdown(s) in the table below by choosing from the lists of options. Body System Common Adverse Effects Head, eyes, ears, nose, and throat (HEENT) dropdown Cardiovascular dropdown Genitourinary dropdown Gastrointestinal dropdown Note: Each drop down must have 1 response selected.

HEENT – Dry mouth; Amitriptyline has strong anticholinergic effects, which inhibit salivary gland secretion, commonly resulting in dry mouth. This side effect can affect oral comfort, dental health, and appetite. Cardiovascular – Tachycardia: Tricyclic antidepressants like amitriptyline can cause tachycardia due to their anticholinergic properties and direct effects on cardiac conduction. These drugs inhibit vagal tone, which increases heart rate, and can also affect the sodium channels in cardiac tissue. Genitourinary – Urinary retention: Amitriptyline’s anticholinergic activity relaxes the detrusor muscle and contracts the internal urethral sphincter, impairing normal bladder emptying. This can lead to difficulty initiating urination and incomplete bladder emptying, particularly in older adults. Gastrointestinal – Constipation: By inhibiting parasympathetic activity in the GI tract, amitriptyline slows peristalsis, leading to constipation. This side effect is common and can become severe without dietary adjustments or the use of stool softeners.