Drug Classes
Amlodipine, nifedipine, and verapamil all belong to this class of antihypertensive medications that work by relaxing blood vessels.
What are calcium channel blockers?
Amlodipine lowers blood pressure by blocking calcium channels in the smooth muscle of blood vessels, causing this effect.
What is vasodilation?
Bradycardia, or a slowed heart rate, is a common side effect of this class of cardiac medications that reduce heart rate and myocardial contractility.
What are beta blockers?
Beta blockers like propranolol should be avoided in patients with this condition, as it can worsen symptoms by causing bronchoconstriction.
What is asthma?
A patient newly diagnosed with hypertension is prescribed lisinopril. The nurse knows this medication belongs to this class of antihypertensives.
What are ACE inhibitors?
This class of antihypertensive medications, which includes prazosin and doxazosin, works by blocking alpha-1 receptors to relax blood vessels and lower blood pressure.
What are alpha-adrenergic blockers?
Because ACE inhibitors block the conversion of angiotensin I to angiotensin II in the lungs, this common side effect often results from irritation of lung tissue.
What is an unrelenting cough?
A common side effect of phenoxybenzamine, due to its alpha-blocking action and vasodilation, is this drop in blood pressure that may worsen when changing positions.
What is orthostatic hypotension?
Patients prescribed ACE inhibitors like lisinopril should be monitored for this electrolyte imbalance due to decreased aldosterone secretion.
What is hyperkalemia?
Before administering a beta blocker to a patient with hypertension, the nurse notes a heart rate of 52 bpm. Based on this finding, this is the most appropriate nursing action.
What is hold the medication and notify the provider?
This angiotensin II receptor blocker (ARB) is used to lower blood pressure by preventing angiotensin II from binding to its receptors, leading to vasodilation without the cough often associated with ACE inhibitors.
What is losartan?
These pressure-sensitive receptors help regulate rapid changes in blood pressure by sending signals to the medulla in the brain.
What are baroreceptors?
A common side effect of this calcium channel blocker is peripheral edema due to vasodilation of the arterioles without corresponding venous dilation.
What is amlodipine?
Before administering this cardioselective beta-blocker, the nurse should assess the patient’s heart rate and hold the dose if the pulse is below 60 bpm.
What is metoprolol?
A patient with hypertension becomes pregnant. Of the following options, this class of medication is considered the safest for use during pregnancy.
What is a beta-blocker?
This medication is a nonselective beta-blocker with alpha-blocking activity used to treat hypertension and heart failure. It lowers blood pressure by slowing heart rate and causing vasodilation.
What is carvedilol?
These antihypertensive medications lower blood pressure by preventing calcium from entering vascular smooth muscle and cardiac cells, resulting in decreased heart contractility and vasodilation.
What are calcium channel blockers?
Patients taking this class of antihypertensives should be monitored for bradycardia, fatigue, hypotension, and worsening symptoms of asthma or COPD due to bronchoconstriction.
What are beta blockers?
A patient taking an ACE inhibitor is scheduled for surgery. Because this medication may cause hypotension under general anesthesia, this is the most appropriate nursing action.
What is alert the provider and mark the patient’s chart prominently?
A patient taking a calcium channel blocker for hypertension reports swelling in the ankles but denies shortness of breath or weight gain. The nurse recognizes this side effect is most likely due to this drug-induced mechanism.
What is peripheral vasodilation?
Concurrent use of this class of antihypertensives with NSAIDs can reduce the antihypertensive effect and increase the risk of kidney impairment, especially in patients with pre-existing renal compromise.
What are angiotensin II receptor blockers (ARBs)?
This potent vasodilator is used in hypertensive emergencies and works by directly relaxing arteriolar and venous smooth muscle, but must be monitored closely due to the risk of cyanide toxicity.
What is nitroprusside?
This beta blocker, when used in patients with pre-existing heart failure, may worsen symptoms by decreasing myocardial contractility and cardiac output.
What is propranolol?
When administering amlodipine for hypertension, the nurse should educate the patient to report this common adverse effect, which results from arteriolar dilation without corresponding venous dilation.
What is peripheral edema?
A patient recently started on an ACE inhibitor reports swelling of the lips and tongue and difficulty breathing. This potentially life-threatening reaction requires immediate discontinuation of the drug and emergency intervention.
What is angioedema?