Cardiac Drugs Flashcards
Ace Inhibitors (end in “pril”)
arterial vasodilator
Used for HTN, heart failure, sometimes after MI if heart failure
Ace Inhibitors nursing notes
monitor BP and heart rate-can cause orthostatic hypotension; common
side effect a dry cough; life threatening side effect angioedema; monitor potassium-can
increase potassium; monitor kidney function; start slow
Angiotensin II Receptor blockers (ARBs) (end in “artan”)
arterial vasodilator
Used for HTN, heart failure, sometimes after MI if heart failure
Angiotensin II Receptor blockers (ARBs) nursing notes
monitor BP and heart rate-can cause orthostatic hypotension; monitor
potassium-can increase potassium; monitor kidney function
Calcium channel blockers (end in “pine”)
slows movement of calcium into cells; vasodilator and decreases workload of heart
Used for HTN, heart failure, dysrhythmias (slows HR) angina (if stable, not in an acute
situation)
Calcium channel blockers (end in “pine”) nursing notes
monitor BP and heart rate; monitor for swelling, facial flushing, and
fatigue
Beta Blockers (end in “lol”)
blocks beta receptors, decrease sympathetic response; decreases HR myocardial
contractility (force of contraction)
Used for HTN, sometimes heart failure (not acute HF), sometimes used in MI (decrease
size of infarct and risk of dysrhythmias); slows ventricular response for afib dysrhythmia
Beta Blockers (end in “lol”) nursing notes
monitor HR and blood pressure; can cause fatigue, depression and
sexual dysfunction; start slowly and do not stop abruptly-can cause rebound
hypertension; monitor for bronchospasm (wheezing) ; monitor blood glucose-can cause
decrease hepatic production of glucose so use cautiously with diabetes
Diuretics
decreases blood volume
Types: Thiazide (ex. hydrochlorothiazide-HCTZ); Loop (ex. furosemide,
torsemide); Potassium sparing (ex. spironolactone)
Used for HTN (common first line med), heart failure
Diuretics nursing notes
monitor BP/orthostatic hypotension; monitor for dehydration; monitor
for hypokalemia with thiazide and loop diuretics; monitor for hyperkalemia with
potassium sparing diuretics; educate patients about frequent voiding and timing of
administration; monitor kidney function (creatinine)
Digoxin
slows conduction through AV node and increases contractility
Used for heart failure, some dysrhythmias to control heart rate
Digoxin nursing notes
check apical pulse for one full minute before administration; monitor for
digoxin toxicity-signs: fatigue, blurred vision, changes in mental status, dysrhythmias);
monitor potassium levels-hypokalemia can increase risk of dig toxicity; hyperkalemia
can decrease effectiveness of dig)
Aspirin
antiplatelet and inhibits vasoconstriction
Used with MI
Aspirin nursing notes
monitor for bleeding; can irritate gastric lining
Clopidogrel (Plavix) and Ticagrelor (brilinta)
antiplatelet
Used with MI
Clopidogrel (Plavix) and Ticagrelor (brilinta) nursing notes
monitor for bleeding
Heparin
anticoagulant
Used with DVT and PE (prevention and treatment), MI
heparin nursing notes
Monitor PTT or heparin Xa; antidote-protamine sulfate; IV route for
treatment doses based on body weight; SQ route for preventative; monitor for
bleeding-hematuria, blood in stool, ecchymosis, petechiae, altered LOC or abdominal
pain; Heparin-induced thrombocytopenia (HIT) – life-threatening complication of
heparin therapy
Enoxaparin
anticoagulant
Used for DVT and PE (prevention and treatment)
Enoxaparin nursing notes
Monitor PT and/or heparin Xa; antidote-protamine sulfate; weight
based dosing (1 mg/kg); monitor for bleeding-hematuria, blood in stool, ecchymosis,
petechiae, altered LOC or abdominal pain; for treating an acute DVT or PE may see an
overlap of enoxaparin and warfarin
Warfarin
anticoagulant
Used after a DVT/PE for further prevention; Afib and artificial heart valve replacement
to prevent thrombus formation
Warfarin nursing notes
Monitor PT/INR; antidote-vitamin K; adjust dosing based on INR;
monitor for bleeding-hematuria, blood in stool, ecchymosis, petechiae, altered LOC or
abdominal pain; teach patients to avoid foods with high vitamin K (green leafy
vegetables) as it can make dosing difficult
Tissue plasminogen activator (TPA)
thrombolytic
Used to treat an MI to dissolve thrombi in coronary circulation
Tissue plasminogen activator (TPA) nursing notes
given IV or intracoronary; high risk for bleeding-monitor for hematuria,
blood in stool, ecchymosis, petechiae, altered LOC or abdominal pain
Statin medication (ends with “statin”)
decreases cholesterol
Used with atherosclerosis, post MI, CAD
Statin medication (ends with “statin”) nursing notes
monitor liver enzymes; used in conjunction with diet and exercise
changes
Nitroglycerin
venous vasodilator
Used with stable angina, acute coronary syndrome and sometimes with heart failure
Nitroglycerin nursing notes
monitor blood pressure before and after for hypotension; can cause a
headache; can be given sublingual, IV, or topical
Morphine sulfate
opioid
Used with MI to decrease pain, decrease venous return and slow respirations
Morphine sulfate nursing notes
closely watch respiratory rate; monitor heart rate and BP (both can
decrease)
Atropine
antidysrhythmic, anticholinergic
Used for symptomatic bradycardia
atropine nursing notes
close BP and HR monitoring; tele monitoring; possible dry mouth and GI
problems secondary to anticholinergic properties
Amiodarone
antidysrhythmic
Used with sustained V tach, SVT (supraventricular tachycardia), V fib, Afib
amiodarone nursing notes
monitor for hypotension and bradycardia; tele monitoring; monitor for
prolonged QTc
Epinephrine
adrenaline
Used for asystole; used in ACLS algorithm; also used for anaphylaxis
epinephrine nursing notes
tele monitoring
