Antihypertensive Classes
This class lowers blood pressure by increasing sodium and water excretion and includes hydrochlorothiazide.
What are thiazide diuretics?
This is the amount of blood pumped by the heart each minute.
What is cardiac output?
This electrolyte imbalance is a major concern with hydrochlorothiazide and furosemide.
What is hypokalemia?
This loop diuretic is known for producing powerful diuresis and is commonly used for fluid overload.
What is furosemide?
Before administering metoprolol, the nurse should assess this vital sign because the medication can cause bradycardia.
What is heart rate/pulse?
Captopril belongs to this antihypertensive class that decreases the formation of angiotensin II.
What are ACE inhibitors?
This is the resistance blood encounters as it flows through systemic blood vessels.
What is vascular resistance?
Patients taking ACE inhibitors such as captopril should be monitored for this potentially life-threatening swelling of the face, lips, tongue, or airway.
What is angioedema?
This potassium-sparing diuretic blocks aldosterone and can cause hyperkalemia.
What is spironolactone?
This medication is administered intravenously and can rapidly lower blood pressure during a hypertensive emergency.
What is nitroprusside?
Losartan belongs to this class, which blocks the effects of angiotensin II at the AT₁ receptor.
What are angiotensin II receptor blockers (ARBs)?
This hormonal system increases blood pressure through vasoconstriction and sodium and water retention.
What is the renin-angiotensin-aldosterone system (RAAS)?
This common adverse effect of ACE inhibitors may occur because of increased bradykinin.
What is a dry cough?
This osmotic diuretic pulls water into the renal tubules and is commonly used to reduce increased intracranial pressure.
What is mannitol?
A patient taking hydrochlorothiazide should be taught to take the medication at this time of day to reduce nighttime urination.
What is in the morning?
Metoprolol belongs to this class and primarily blocks β₁ receptors in the heart.
What are cardioselective beta-1 blockers?
Nifedipine lowers blood pressure primarily by producing this effect on vascular smooth muscle.
What is vasodilation?
A patient taking propranolol develops wheezing. The nurse recognizes this adverse effect as a result of blocking these receptors.
What are β₂ receptors?
Furosemide works in this portion of the nephron by blocking the Na⁺/K⁺/2Cl⁻ cotransporter.
What is the thick ascending loop of Henle?
A patient taking furosemide should have these three things closely monitored: daily weight, intake/output, and this group of laboratory values.
What are electrolytes?
This medication directly inhibits renin, preventing the conversion of angiotensinogen to angiotensin I.
What is aliskiren?
Verapamil and diltiazem lower blood pressure and heart rate partly by decreasing this electrical process through the AV node.
What is cardiac conduction?
A patient taking spironolactone has a potassium level of 6.0 mEq/L. The nurse recognizes this medication as a cause of this electrolyte imbalance.
What is hyperkalemia?
A patient receiving a potent diuretic has a rapid decrease in weight, dizziness, hypotension, and poor skin turgor. The nurse suspects this fluid-balance problem.
What is dehydration/volume depletion?
A patient taking an ACE inhibitor has weakness and an elevated potassium level. The nurse recognizes that decreased aldosterone can cause this electrolyte imbalance.
What is hyperkalemia?