Cardiac Medications
Digoxin increases the strength of these heart contractions.
What is myocardial contractility?
This GI symptom, sometimes mistaken for indigestion, can occur during an MI.
What is nausea or vomiting?
This life-threatening arrhythmia is a common complication immediately after an MI.
What is ventricular fibrillation?
This imaging test uses dye to visualize coronary artery blockages during an MI.
What is coronary angiography?
Elevating this part of the body helps decrease preload and improve breathing during an MI.
What is the head of the bed?
This potassium-sparing diuretic helps counteract potassium loss but can cause hyperkalemia.
What is spironolactone?
This diagnostic tool is used immediately to assess heart electrical activity during chest pain.
What is an electrocardiogram (ECG or EKG)?
This test measures the heart's pumping ability and can detect damage post-MI.
What is an echocardiogram?
The nurse should frequently monitor these two vital signs closely during the acute MI phase.
What are blood pressure and heart rate?
Before giving a beta blocker, nurses must check this pulse and hold medication if below 60 bpm.
What is apical pulse?
This medication reduces myocardial oxygen demand by slowing heart rate and decreasing contractility during an MI.
What are beta blockers?
This blood test can be elevated due to heart muscle stress and is used to assess heart failure severity.
What is brain natriuretic peptide (BNP)?
After thrombolytic therapy, the nurse must carefully monitor the client for signs of this serious side effect.
What is bleeding?
This life-threatening allergic reaction with facial swelling can occur with ACE inhibitors.
What is angioedema?
This complication, caused by blood pooling due to poor heart function, increases risk for this type of clot.
What is deep vein thrombosis (DVT) or pulmonary embolism (PE)?
This supportive therapy may be needed if cardiomyopathy progresses to severe heart failure.
What is heart transplant or mechanical assist devices (e.g., LVAD)?
This medication class must NOT be taken with nitrates due to severe hypotension risk.
What are PDE-5 inhibitors (e.g., sildenafil)?
This type of cardiomyopathy is characterized by thickened heart muscle, especially the septum.
What is hypertrophic cardiomyopathy?