Question | Answer |
What is digoxin/lanoxin used for? | Congestive heart failure and atrial fibrillation/flutter |
What are signs of digoxin/lanoxin toxicity? | N/V/D, slow heart rate, arrhythmias, halo vision, dizzy |
What is digitalization? | Giving loading doses to get the drug level up quickly |
What are the goals of antihypertensive therapy? | -Maintain normal BP
-Maintain or increase adequate blood flow
-minimize side effect
-permit long term use w/o developing tolerance |
What is orthostatic hypotension? | Drop in BP with position changes |
What are signs of orthostatic hypotension? | Dizzy, lightheaded, possible fainting |
What do calcium channel blockers do? | Block or slow calcium movement into the smooth muscle cell of the blood vessel or the cardiac muscle cell which causes vasodilation which cause the BP to lower |
What are calcium channel blockers used for? | Used as antihypertensive agents, antianginal agents, and antiarrhythmia agents |
Name a calcium channel blocker drug | amlodipine(Norvasc) |
what are ACE inhibitors used for? | antihypertensive agents |
How does an ACE inhibitor work? | blocks the angitensin converting enzyme which decreases the production of angiotensin II which cause vasodilation which lowers BP |
Name an ACE inhibitor drug | lisinopril( Zestril, Prinivil) |
What are beta blockers used for? | Antihypertensive and antiarrhythmic |
How does a beta blocker work? | block beta receptor stimulation causing vasodilation which lowers BP.
They also decrease HR, decrease force of contraction and promote bronchoconstriction |
When are Beta blockers contrindicated? | patients with bradycardia, asthma, emphysema, or chronic bronchitis |
Examples of Beta blocker drugs? | atenolol(Tenormin), propranolol (Inderal), toprolol (Toprol) |
What is Angiotensin II receptor inhibitor used for? | Antihypertensive agent |
How does Angiontensin II receptor inhibitor work? | Blocks the action of angiotensin II causing vasodilation which lowers BP |
What is a drug example of Angiotensin II receptor inhibitor? | valsartan (Diovan) |
What do diuretics do? | They help to remove excess sodium and water from the body |
What is a major side effect of Diuretics? | hypokalemia(low blood potassium) |
What are patient teachings for patients taking diuretics? | Daily weights, low salt diet, high potassium foods |
Thiazide diuretics | hydrochlorothiazide (HCTZ) |
Loop diuretics | furosemide (Lasix) |
What do anticoagulants do? | Slow down blood clotting |
What are anticoagulants used for? | blood clots, heart valves, and joint replacements |
What are side effects of anticoagulants? | easy bruising, epistaxis(bloody nose), bleeding gums |
Drug example of anticoagulant | warfarin(Coumadin), heparin |
How do antiplatelet/platelet aggregation inhibitors work? | prevent platelet aggregation (clumping together) which prevents blood clot formation |
What are antiplatelet/platelet aggregation inhibitors used for? | Used after heart/blood vessel surgery, stent placement, joint replacement |
Example of antiplatelet/platelet aggregation inhibitors | clopidogrel |
What are antianginals used for? | To treat angina pectoris from decreased blood flow to cardiac muscle |
What is the DOC for antianginals? | nitroglycerin |
What are side effects of antianginals? | headache, flushing, drop in BP |
What should you teach your patient about storing SL NTG? | carry it on you at all times, keep track of expiration date, do not open until ready to use them, keep in the glass container |
How do antihyperlipidemics work? | Decrease cholesterol and triglyceride levels |
What should be checked regularly while taking antihyperlipidemics? | This drug works in the liver and can cause liver damage so liver enzymes should be checked |
example of antihyperlipidemic | atorvastain( Lipitor) simvastatin (Zocor) |
How doe antiarrhythmics work? | Works on the electrical conduction system of the heart, used to treat irregular heart rhythms (arrhythmias) |