Chapter 22: Antihypertensive Drugs Test, Pharmacology for Nurses: Practical Applications
The key terms in this Pharmacology course Antihypertensive Drugs Test, ACE Inhibitors, Medication, Heart Rate, Block, Nurse, Serum, Blockers, Drugs, Pharmacology, Patient, Nightmares, Hypertension, Carvedilol, Tamsulosin, Benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH), Carvedilol, Eplerenone, Pharmacology for Nurses: Practical Applications.
Which medication would the nurse question if prescribed together with ACE inhibitors?
Furosemide
Morphine
Docusate sodium
Potassium chloride
ACE inhibitors block the conversion of angiotensin I to angiotensin II, thus also blocking the stimulus for aldosterone production. Aldosterone is responsible for potassium excretion; thus, a decrease in aldosterone production can result in an increase in serum potassium.
A patient who is prescribed tamsulosin does not have a history of hypertension. The nurse knows this medication is also used for what condition?
Migraine headache
Pulmonary emboli
Subarachnoid hemorrhage
Benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH)
Alpha1 blockers have beneficial in the treatment of BPH. The blocking of alpha1-adrenergic receptors decreases the urine outflow obstruction related to BPH by preventing smooth muscle contractions in the bladder neck and urethra.
When teaching a patient about a new prescription for carvedilol the nurse explains that this medication reduces blood pressure by which action? (Select all that apply.)
Increases urine output
Peripheral vasodilation
Relaxes muscle tone
Promotes excretion of sodium
Decreases heart rate
Carvedilol has the dual antihypertensive effects of reduction in heart rate (beta1 receptor blockade) and vasodilation (alpha1 receptor blockade).
Before administering eplerenone to a patient, what is the priority nursing action?
Obtain serum thiocyanate level.
Auscultate heart sounds.
Assess level of consciousness.
Check serum electrolytes.
Eplerenone is contraindicated in patients with an elevated serum potassium level (>5.5 mEq/L) or severe renal impairment. Therefore, it is imperative that the nurse assesses the patient’s most recent serum electrolytes before administering this medication.
The nurse is conducting a community education program. When explaining different medication regimens to treat hypertension, it would be accurate to state that African Americans often respond better to which combination of medications?
Diuretics and calcium channel blockers
ACE inhibitors and diuretics
ACE inhibitors and beta blockers
Diuretics and beta blockers
Research has demonstrated that African Americans do not typically respond therapeutically to beta blockers or ACE inhibitors. They respond better to diuretics and calcium channel blockers.
A beta blocker is prescribed for a patient with heart failure and hypertension. Which adverse effects, if present, may indicate a serious problem is developing while the patient is taking this medication? Select all that apply.
a. edema
b. nightmares
c. dyspnea
d. nervousness
e. constipation
nervousness
constipation
edema and dyspnea
nightmares