CARDIOVASCULAR DRUGS Flashcards
(end in “pril”)
arterial vasodilator
Used for HTN, heart failure, sometimes after MI if heart failure
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
Ace Inhibitors
(end in “artan”)
arterial vasodilator
Used for HTN, heart failure, sometimes after MI if heart failure
Nursing notes: monitor BP and heart rate-can cause orthostatic hypotension; monitor potassium-can increase potassium; monitor kidney function
Angiotensin II Receptor blockers (ARBs)
(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)
Nursing Notes: monitor BP and heart rate; monitor for swelling, facial flushing, and fatigue
Calcium channel 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
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
Beta Blockers
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
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)
Diuretics
slows conduction through AV node and increases contractility
Used for heart failure, some dysrhythmias to control heart rate
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)
Digoxin
antiplatelet and inhibits vasoconstriction
Used with MI
Nursing notes: monitor for bleeding; can irritate gastric lining
Aspirin
antiplatelet
Used with MI
Nursing notes: monitor for bleeding
Clopidogrel (Plavix) and Ticagrelor (brilinta)
anticoagulant
Used with DVT and PE (prevention and treatment), MI
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
Heparin
anticoagulant
Used for DVT and PE (prevention and treatment)
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
Enoxaparin
anticoagulant
Used after a DVT/PE for further prevention; Afib and artificial heart valve replacement to prevent thrombus formation
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
Warfarin
thrombolytic
Used to treat an MI to dissolve thrombi in coronary circulation
Nursing notes: given IV or intracoronary; high risk for bleeding-monitor for hematuria, blood in stool, ecchymosis, petechiae, altered LOC or abdominal pain
Tissue plasminogen activator (TPA)
(ends with “statin”)
decreases cholesterol
Used with atherosclerosis, post MI, CAD
Nursing notes: monitor liver enzymes; used in conjunction with diet and exercise changes
Statin medication
venous vasodilator
Used with stable angina, acute coronary syndrome and sometimes with heart failure
Nursing notes: monitor blood pressure before and after for hypotension; can cause a headache; can be given sublingual, IV, or topical
Nitroglycerin
opioid
Used with MI to decrease pain, decrease venous return and slow respirations
Nursing notes: closely watch respiratory rate; monitor heart rate and BP (both can decrease)
Morphine sulfate
