communication skills class

Question 1

when should an ace inhibitor dose be taken for hypertension?

Answer 1

initially 1.25 to 2mg once daily and increased up to 10mg once daily at intervals of 2-4 weeks if required.

the first dose should be advised to be taken at night as it can cause dizziness.

Question 2

what tests should be taken before and after starting an ace inhibitor?

Answer 2

renal functions and electrolytes should be checked before starting or increasing the dose and monitored during treatment

monitor blood pressure before and 4 weeks to a month after starting the dose.

check the U and Es 1-2 weeks after starting or changing the dose

check liver function tests before and 4 weeks to a month after starting treatment

Question 3

what are side effects of ace inhibitors?

Answer 3

dizzy or lightheaded

cough with ramipril

headaches

diarrhoea

mild skin rash

blurred vision

being sick

Question 4

what is the dose for ace inhibitors Prophylaxis after myocardial infarction in patients with clinical evidence of heart failure (started at least 48 hours after infarction

Answer 4

Initially 2.5 mg twice daily for 3 days, then increased to 5 mg twice daily.

Question 5

what are side effects of diltiziam?

Answer 5

headaches

swollen hands and feet

feeling dizzy and tiredness

hot flushes

redness. of skin

stomach pain

indigestion

constipation

Question 6

what is the dose for diltiziam in angina?

Answer 6

adults: 60mg 3 times a day

elderly: 60mg twice daily

Question 7

what can diltiziam be used for?

Answer 7

prevent future heart disease, heart atatcks and strokes

Question 8

in which patents are high intensity statins used in the treatment of primary prevention of cvd ?

Answer 8

type 1 diabetes patients

aged 85 or older

example, atorvastatin 80mg

Question 9

in which patients are high intensity statins used as secondary prevention of cvd

Answer 9

in patients with existing CVD for example past or current history of MI, angina, stroke, ischaemic or peripheral arterial disease

Question 10

what tests should be taken before starting lipid modification treatment?

Answer 10

A non-fasting lipid profile.

Liver function tests (transaminases).
Renal function, including estimated glomerular filtration rate.

HbA1c.

Creatine kinase (if the person has persistent generalized unexplained muscle pain).

Thyroid stimulating hormone, if dyslipidaemia is present

Question 11

what class of drug is amlodipine?

Answer 11

calcium channel blockers

Question 12

what is the dose of amlodipine for hypertension and angina treatment?

Answer 12

5mg once daily, can be increased 10mg if necessary

Question 13

what are side effects of amlodipine?

Answer 13

headaches
dizziness
pounding heart
flushing
swollen ankles

Question 14

what are counselling points of amlodipine?

Answer 14

Do not take amlodipine with grapefruit juice. Having large amounts of grapefruit or grapefruit juice can increase how much amlodipine is in your body and make side effects worse. If you are affected, you may have to avoid eating grapefruit or drinking grapefruit juice while taking amlodipine.

Take amlodipine even if you feel well, as you’ll still be getting the benefits of the medicine.

If you forget to take a dose of amlodipine, take it as soon as you remember that day and then carry on as normal.

Question 15

what are side effects of diuretics - bendroflumethiazide?

Answer 15

constipation
diarrhoea
dizziness
fatigue nausea
skin reactions

Question 16

what are side effects of atorvastatin?

Answer 16

gi issues, headache, muscle complaints, sleep disorder, neuase, dizziness

Question 17

what are side effects of alpha blockers?

Answer 17

headaches, parenthesis, pain, nausea, skin reactions, uti, dry mouth drowsiness – driving skills may be affected

limit the amount of alcohol you take

Question 18

why is simvastatin taken at night?

Answer 18

cholesterol levels in the body peak at night, therefore, simvastatin works better at lowering cholesterol at night than in the morning.

Question 19

why is atorvastatin more preferred than simvastatin?

Answer 19

atorvastatin is more effective at lowering blood LDL and prevent adverse cardiovascular effects

Question 20

what are side effects of angiotensin receptor blockers?

Answer 20

abdominal pain, headache, hyperkalaemia, vomiting, renal impairment, back pain, cough

Question 21

what is contraindicated in a patient with gout, and what would be the next available treatment if all are prescribed in ABCD?

Answer 21

diuretics are contraindicated in gout patients

alpha blocker such as doxazosin 1mg next treatment if ccb prescribed.

Question 22

when may an angiotensin receptor blocker be prescribed instead of ace inhibitors?

Answer 22

when ace inhibitors cause cough by accumulation of bradykinin