Blood Pressure & RAAS
This kidney-released enzyme kicks off the RAAS cascade when renal perfusion drops.
Answer: Renin
Every beta-blocker ends with this suffix.
Answer: “-lol”
Most dihydropyridine CCBs end with this suffix.
Answer: “-dipine”
Digoxin increases the force of contraction—a positive ______ effect.
Answer: Inotropic
Nitroglycerin lowers preload chiefly by dilating these blood vessels.
Answer: Veins
All ACE inhibitors share this three-letter suffix.
Answer: “-pril”
Clients with asthma should avoid non-selective beta blockers because they can trigger this dangerous respiratory effect.
Answer: Bronchoconstriction
Patients on nifedipine should avoid this citrus juice because it can raise drug levels to toxicity.
Answer: Grapefruit juice
Hold digoxin if the apical pulse is below this rate.
Answer: 60 beats per minute
Combining nitrates with PDE5 inhibitors (e.g., sildenafil) can cause life-threatening ______.
Answer: Hypotension
First-dose orthostatic hypotension is a classic early complication of this antihypertensive drug class.
Answer: ACE inhibitors
Beta blockers can mask the warning signs of this low-glucose state in diabetics.
Answer: Hypoglycemia
This uncomfortable GI side-effect is especially common with verapamil.
Answer: Constipation
The earliest and most common sign of digoxin toxicity is loss of appetite, medically called _____.
Answer: Anorexia
Sublingual nitroglycerin tablets must be kept in their original dark glass bottle to preserve their ______.
Answer: Potency (effectiveness)
ARBs such as losartan block the action of this potent vasoconstrictor but rarely cause cough.
Answer: Angiotensin II
Abrupt discontinuation may cause rebound myocardium excitation, better known clinically as rebound ______.
Answer: Tachycardia
Reflex tachycardia from nifedipine can be prevented by adding which other antihypertensive drug class?
Answer: Beta blockers
Life-threatening digoxin toxicity is reversed with this antibody antidote.
Answer: Digoxin immune Fab/Digi
When IV dopamine is effective in treating shock, urine output rises above this volume per hour.
Answer: 30 mL per hour
Name two lifestyle changes recommended before medications are started for primary hypertension (any two correct).
Answer examples: Weight loss, stress reduction, regular aerobic exercise, smoking cessation, limiting caffeine/alcohol, DASH diet
Hold the next beta-blocker dose and notify the provider if the patient’s heart rate is below this threshold.
Answer: 50 beats per minute
Name the two CCBs that also slow AV-node conduction to treat SVT.
Answer: Verapamil and diltiazem
True or False: Verapamil raises serum digoxin levels and increases toxicity risk.
Answer: True
Name one PDE5 inhibitor that must never be taken with nitrates.
Answer: Sildenafil (or tadalafil, vardenafil)