Cardiovascular pharmacology

Question 1

Carvedilol

Answer 1

AKA: Coreg
USES: Hypertension, Heart failure, chronic/stable angina, L ventricular malfunction post MI
DOSE: 2.5 - 50 per day
ASSESSMENT: hypotension/dizziness, fluid retention, hypoglycemia
EDUCATION:
watch diabetic pt - hypoglycemia may be masked
observe for dizziness
monitor older pt’s
diuretics may need increasing
eyes may feel dry

Question 2

Digoxin

Answer 2

AKA: Lanoxin
USES: HF, 
SAFE RANGE: 0.5 - 2.0
ASSESSMENT: HR (<60 hold), serum potassium level (hypokalemia increases risk for toxicity), calcium (dig binds to Ca -- but watch for hypercalcemia), Magnesium (hypo)
EDUCATION:

Question 3

Captopril

Answer 3

AKA: Capoten
USES: hypertension, frequently used for HF - lowers workload on heart. ACE inhibitor
DOSE:
ASSESSMENT: most serious SEs are angioedema (edema under the skin) and acute renal failure
fever, joint pain, COUGH, loss of taste
EDUCATION: may take 1-2 weeks,

Question 4

therapeutic serum levels of digoxin?

Answer 4

0.5 - 2.0

Question 5

signs of dig toxicity (early and later)

Answer 5

early: anorexia, vomiting, diarrhea, other GI upsets, confusion, fatigue, disrhythmias, HA, hypotension
late: visual disturbances (seeing double, yellow halos, blurred vision)

Question 6

what electrolyte levels should be monitored after digibind?

Answer 6

potassium (can cause a drop in K)

Question 7

What is Vit K an antidote to?

Answer 7

warfarin (coumadin)

Question 8

how fast can potassium be infused?

Answer 8

no faster than 20 meq/hr

Question 9

When asked a question about whether or not a drug has had “the desired effect,” …

Answer 9

…be sure to think about what the pt’s primary problem is!

Question 10

nesiritide?

Answer 10

AKA: Natrecor
USES: HF (causes vasodilation and diuresis)
ASSESSMENT: BP (hypotension)

Question 11

What do beta blockers do?

Answer 11

• lower BP

- slow HR

Question 12

amiodarone

Answer 12

AKA: Cordarone
USES: antidysrhythmic drug used to control ventricular dysrhythmias

Question 13

Atenolol

Answer 13

AKA: Tenormin

Question 14

tenecteplace

Answer 14

AKA: TNKase