Antihypertensives and Heart Failure Medications Flashcards
List the classes of blood pressure medications (7 main categories).
- Which category has sub-categories (will be marked with asterisk)
Remember acronym!
- Diuretics (already covered in first lecture of the module)
- Adrenergic drugs*
- Angiotensin - converting enzyme (ACE) inhibitors
- Angiotensin II receptor blockers (ARBs)
- Calcium channel blockers (CCBs)
- Vasodilators
- Direct renin inhibitors
Acronym: “Dat A-A-Ass Can Verberate D***”
List the Adrenergic drug subcategories (4 main categories).
- include with the categories if the drug acts centrally or peripherally.
- Alpha 2 receptor agonists (central)
- Alpha 1 receptor blockers (peripheral)
- Beta receptor blockers (peripheral)
- Combination alpha 1 and beta receptor blockers (peripheral)
Central = brain
Peripheral = heart & vessels
Clonidine
- Class?
- Acts centrally or peripherally?
- How does it work to decrease BP? (2)
- Side effects?
- Nursing considerations?
Alpha-2 Adrenergic Receptor stimulators
Works centrally in the brain
Decreases BP by:
- stimulating alpha II adrenergic receptors which decreases norepinephrine production, in turn, decreasing BP
- stimulating alpha II adrenergic receptors in the kidneys which reduces renin activity and vasodilates blood vessels (renin vasoconstricts vessels)
Side effects:
*Pretty significant (usually not a first-line medication)
- Orthostatic hypotension (sudden drop in BP with change in positions i.e., standing, sitting)
- fatigue
- dizziness
Nursing considerations:
- Change positions slowly d/t risk of fainting or falling
- First-dose “syncope” can occur (loss of consciousness) –> should be lying or sitting for first dose
- Can not suddenly stop taking (can lead to severe rebound hypertension)
- Should check BP before administering (could be too low to safely give medication)
Methyldopa
- Class? Sub-class?
- Acts centrally or peripherally?
- How does it work to decrease BP? (2)
- Side effects?
- Nursing considerations?
*For what type of patient is this medication used?
Alpha-2 Adrenergic Receptor stimulators
Works centrally in the brain
Decreases BP by:
- stimulating alpha II adrenergic receptors which decreases norepinephrine production, in turn, decreasing BP
- stimulating alpha II adrenergic receptors in the kidneys which reduces renin activity and vasodilates blood vessels (renin vasoconstricts vessels)
Side effects:
*Pretty significant (usually not a first-line medication)
- Orthostatic hypotension (sudden drop in BP with change in positions i.e., standing, sitting)
- fatigue
- dizziness
Nursing considerations:
- Change positions slowly d/t risk of fainting or falling
- First-dose “syncope” can occur (loss of consciousness) –> should be lying or sitting for first dose
- Can not suddenly stop taking (can lead to severe rebound hypertension)
- Should check BP before administering (could be too low to safely give medication)
*Usually given to PREGNANT patients –> category B
Doxazosin
- Class? Sub-class?
- Acts centrally or peripherally?
- How does it work to decrease BP?
- Side effects?
- Nursing considerations?
Peripherally acting alpha I blocker
Acts peripherally on the blood vessels
Decreases BP by: Blocking alpha I adrenergic receptors from the effects of norepinephrine in the blood vessels –> this dilates the arteries + veins, reducing peripheral vascular resistance and lowering BP
Side effects:
- Dizziness
- Orthostatic hypotension (sudden drop in BP with position changes)
- Bradycardia (slow HR)
Nursing considerations:
- Can’t stop medication suddenly –> can experience rebound hypertension
- Should change positions slowly d/t dizziness
- Check BP before administering medication (could be too low to safely administer)
Prazosin
- Class? Sub-class?
- Acts centrally or peripherally?
- How does it work to decrease BP?
- Side effects?
- Nursing considerations?
Peripherally acting Alpha-1 blocker
Acts peripherally on the blood vessels
Decreases BP by: Blocking alpha I adrenergic receptors from the effects of norepinephrine in the blood vessels –> this dilates the arteries + veins, reducing peripheral vascular resistance and lowering BP
Side effects:
- Dizziness
- Orthostatic hypotension (sudden drop in BP with position changes)
- Bradycardia (slow HR)
Nursing considerations:
- Can’t stop medication suddenly –> can experience rebound hypertension
- Should change positions slowly d/t dizziness
- Check BP before administering medication (could be too low to safely administer)
Terazosin
- Class? Sub-class?
- Acts centrally or peripherally?
- How does it work to decrease BP?
- Side effects?
- Nursing considerations?
Peripherally acting alpha I blocker
Acts peripherally on the blood vessels
Decreases BP by: Blocking alpha I adrenergic receptors from the effects of norepinephrine in the blood vessels –> this dilates the arteries + veins, reducing peripheral vascular resistance and lowering BP
Side effects:
- Dizziness
- Orthostatic hypotension (sudden drop in BP with position changes)
- Bradycardia (slow HR)
Nursing considerations:
- Can’t stop medication suddenly –> can experience rebound hypertension
- Should change positions slowly d/t dizziness
- Check BP before administering medication (could be too low to safely administer)
Metoprolol
- Class? Sub-class?
- Acts centrally or peripherally?
- Selective or non-selective?
- How does it decrease BP?
- Side effects?
- Nursing considerations?
*How does it treat HF (when used for that)?
Beta-blocker
selective
Acts peripherally on the heart
Decreases BP by:
1. blocking beta II receptors in the heart which reduces HR
2. stimulates alpha II adrenergic receptors in the kidneys which reduces renin activity and allows for vasodilation
Side effects:
- Bradycardia (slow HR)
- Dizziness
Nursing considerations:
- check BP AND PULSE (HR)
- can’t stop suddenly (can cause rebound hypertension)
*Treats HF by:
1. Decreasing after-load i.e., decreased resistance the heart has to pump against by lowering BP
2. Increasing contractility i.e., helping the heart beat stronger
Atenolol
- Class? Sub-class?
- Acts centrally or peripherally?
- Selective or non-selective?
- How does it decrease BP?
- Side effects?
- Nursing considerations?
Beta-blocker
selective
Acts peripherally on the heart
Decreases BP by:
1. blocking beta II receptors in the heart which reduces HR
2. stimulates alpha II adrenergic receptors in the kidneys which reduces renin activity and allows for vasodilation
Side effects:
- Bradycardia (slow HR)
- Dizziness
Nursing considerations:
- check BP AND PULSE (HR)
- can’t stop suddenly (can cause rebound hypertension)
Propranolol
- Class? Sub-class?
- Acts centrally or peripherally?
- Selective or non-selective?
- How does it decrease BP?
- Side effects?
- Nursing considerations?
- Contraindications?
Beta-blocker
non-selective
Acts peripherally on the heart
Decreases BP by:
1. blocking beta II receptors in the heart which reduces HR
2. stimulates alpha II adrenergic receptors in the kidneys which reduces renin activity and allows for vasodilation
Side effects:
- Bradycardia (slow HR)
- Dizziness
Nursing considerations:
- check BP AND PULSE (HR)
- can’t stop suddenly (can cause rebound hypertension)
Contraindications:
- Albuterol for asthma –> can decrease effectives; narrowing the airways and possibility of bronchospasm, worsening the condition of breathing
Labetalol
- Class? Sub-class?
- Acts centrally or peripherally?
- How does it decrease BP?
- Side effects?
- Nursing considerations?
Dual-action alpha I and beta receptor blocker
Works in the periphery on the heart and blood vessels
Decreases BP by:
1. targeting alpha - I receptors to dilate the heart and blood vessels
- targeting beta receptors to decrease HR
Side effects:
- Bradycardia (slow HR)
- Dizziness
- Orthostatic hypotension
- Erectile dysfunction
Nursing considerations:
- Take BP and PULSE
- can’t stop taking suddenly (can cause rebound hypertension)
Carvedilol
- Class? Sub-class?
- Acts centrally or peripherally?
- How does it decrease BP?
- Side effects?
- Nursing considerations?
Dual-action alpha I and beta receptor blocker
Works in the periphery on the heart and blood vessels
Decreases BP by:
1. targeting alpha - I receptors to dilate the heart and blood vessels
- targeting beta receptors to decrease HR
Side effects:
- Bradycardia (slow HR)
- Dizziness
- Orthostatic hypotension
- Erectile dysfunction
Nursing considerations:
- Take BP and PULSE
- can’t stop taking suddenly (can cause rebound hypertension)
Captopril
- Class?
- How does it decrease BP?
- Side effects?
- Contraindications?
Angiotensin - converting enzyme inhibitor drug (ACE inhibitor)
Decreases BP by:
- Inhibiting ACE enzyme which is responsible for converting angiotensin I into II, causing vasoconstriction and aldosterone secretion (reabsorption of sodium and water)
- Dilates heart vessels
- Promotes diuresis to lower blood volume
Side effects:
- Dry cough –> can be put on different medication if this becomes too much for pt to handle
- Hyperkalemia (high potassium) –> can effect electrical activity of the heart if too high
- Fatigue
- Dizziness
Nursing considerations:
- Monitor potassium (K+) levels
- Take BP before administering
Contraindications:
- Spironolactone (potassium sparing diuretic) –> can lead to hyperkalemia
- Potassium supplement –> hyperkalemia
- Lithium –> toxicity
- Pregnant or breastfeeding patient –> can be toxic to fetus
*Treats HF by:
1. Decreasing pre-load and after-load
Enalapril
- Class?
- How does it decrease BP?
- Side effects?
- Contraindications?
Angiotensin - converting enzyme inhibitor drug (ACE inhibitor)
Decreases BP by:
- Inhibiting ACE enzyme which is responsible for converting angiotensin I into II, causing vasoconstriction and aldosterone secretion (reabsorption of sodium and water)
- Dilates heart vessels
- Promotes diuresis to lower blood volume
Side effects:
- Dry cough –> can be put on different medication if this becomes too much for pt to handle
- Hyperkalemia (high potassium) –> can effect electrical activity of the heart if too high
- Fatigue
- Dizziness
Nursing considerations:
- Monitor potassium (K+) levels
- Take BP before administering
Contraindications:
- Spironolactone (potassium sparing diuretic) –> can lead to hyperkalemia
- Potassium supplement –> hyperkalemia
- Lithium –> toxicity
- Pregnant or breastfeeding patient –> can be toxic to fetus
*Treats HF by:
1. Decreasing pre-load and after-load
Fosinopril
- Class?
- How does it decrease BP?
- Side effects?
- Contraindications?
Angiotensin - converting enzyme inhibitor drug (ACE inhibitor)
Decreases BP by:
- Inhibiting ACE enzyme which is responsible for converting angiotensin I into II, causing vasoconstriction and aldosterone secretion (reabsorption of sodium and water)
- Dilates heart vessels
- Promotes diuresis to lower blood volume
Side effects:
- Dry cough –> can be put on different medication if this becomes too much for pt to handle
- Hyperkalemia (high potassium) –> can effect electrical activity of the heart if too high
- Fatigue
- Dizziness
Nursing considerations:
- Monitor potassium (K+) levels
- Take BP before administering
Contraindications:
- Spironolactone (potassium sparing diuretic) –> can lead to hyperkalemia
- Potassium supplement –> hyperkalemia
- Lithium –> toxicity
- Pregnant or breastfeeding patient –> can be toxic to fetus
*Treats HF by:
1. Decreasing pre-load and after-load