Cardiac Medications Flashcards
suffix “olol”
Beta Blockers
(atenolol, carvedilol, labetalol, metoprolol, propranolol, sotalol)
NOTE: carvedilol and labetalol end in “lol” cause they are alpha/beta blocker drugs)
suffix “sartan”
angiotensin II receptor blockers (ARB)
losartan, valsartan, candesartan
suffix “pril”
ACE Inhibitors (angiotensin-converting enzyme)
(lisinopril, enalapril, and benazepril)
constipation is a side effect of this group of medications
calcium channel blockers
a headache is the most common adverse effect of this medication
nitroglycerin
these cardiac medications block the angiotensin converting enzyme from the formation of angiotensin II
ACE inhibitors
these drug classifications treat hypertension, heart failure, diabetic nephropathy, and MI
ACE inhibitors and ARB’s
Diabetic Retinopathy can be treated with enalapril or losartan
at risk patients will take this medication to help prevent adverse cardiovascular events such as MI and strokes
ACE inhibitors
a cough, angioedema, first-dose hypotension, and hyperkalemia are side of effects of this drug class
ACE inhibitors
this ACE inhibitor can be administered 2 to 3 times daily due to the short half-live
Captopril
all other ACE inhibitors have a prolonged half live and are given only once or twice daily
What ACE inhibitor can be given intravenously?
Enalaprilat
ACE inhibitors are used in caution with this patient population
patients who have kidney disease
The patient should have a smaller dose and nurses need to watch the patient’s kidney functions (I&O and labs)
potassium retention can be seen in these classes of drugs
ACE inhibitors, Potassium Sparing Diuretics, and ARBs
This drug classification blocks the effects of angiotensin II (vasoconstriction, sodium and water retention) by directly blocking the binding of angiotensin II to angiotensin II type 1 receptors.
mechanism of action
Angiotensin II receptor blockers(ARBs)
Angioedema, hypotension, hyperkalemia, diarrhea, dizziness, headache, fatigue are adverse effects of this drug classification
Angiotensin II Recpector Blockers (ARBs)
Note: ARBs do not have the adverse effect of a cough like ACE inhibitors
lip swelling, facial swelling, itchy hives, shortness of breath, dizziness, or fainting are symptoms of this adverse reaction
Angioedema
seen in patient who take ACE inhibitors, ARBs, & aliskiren (direct renin inhibitor) can be life threatening
what labs do you want to check for kidney functions?
BUN (blood urea nitrogen) and Creatitine
GFR is an important lab for kidney functions
prior to administration, the nurse should check an apical pulse for this medication
digoxin
how long should a nurse check an apical pulse for prior to the administrtation of digoxin
60 seconds
teach patients to check their radial pulse for 1 full minute and to hold if the heart rate is less than 60 beats per minute and notifiy their provider
this medication is used to treat heart failure and a-fib
digoxin
digoxin is a cardiac glycoside
what is the normal serum levels for digoxin
0.5 to 2.0ng/mL
above 2.0 is supratherapeutic which means too much in their system which can increase the adverse effects including dig toxicity
when taking digoxin, what other lab value do we monitor
potassium
hypokalemia can trigger digoxin toxicity; however, when a patient has digoxin toxicity, it can then cause
hyperkalemia, patients should also be on telemetry
loop diuretics and thiazide diuretics taken with digoxin increase the risk for
hypokalemia
patients should not take these diuretics with digoxin
dopamine and digoxin have a drug to drug interaction causing…
tachydysrhythmias
V-tach or V-fib, so patients should be monitored on telemetry when taking digoxin
bradycardia, constipation, peripheral edema, hypotension, drowsiness, and dizziness are adverse reactions of this drug class
calcium channel blockers
Hint: constipation is only an adverse reaction for calcium channel blockers, not alpha or beta
confusion, loss of appetite, nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, or vision problems, palpations, or an irregular heart beat are signs/symptoms of this adverse reaction
note: anoxeria is a loss of appetite
digoxin toxicity
the antidote for digoxin toxicity
digoxin immune Fab (Digibind)
weight loss, DASH diet, decrease sodium intake, exercise, smoking cessation and alcohol restriction are
lifestyle modifications to help reduce hypertension
normal blood pressure range
130/80 or less