Drugs for Angina Pectoris Flashcards
A nurse is providing teaching for a patient with stable angina who will begin taking nitroglycerin. Which statement by the patient indicates understanding of the teaching?
a. “I should not participate in aerobic exercise while taking this drug.”
b. “I should take aspirin daily to reduce my need for nitroglycerin.”
c. “If I take nitroglycerin before exertion, I can reduce the chance of an anginal attack.”
d. “I take nitroglycerin to increase the amount of oxygen to my heart.”
C
Nitroglycerin can be taken before stressful events or exertion to reduce the chance of an attack of angina. Aerobic exercise is an important part of nondrug therapy to reduce the risk of heart attack. Aspirin therapy is an important adjunct to treatment to prevent coronary thrombus formation, but it does not reduce the need for nitroglycerin. Nitroglycerin reduces cardiac oxygen demand, but it does not increase the amount of oxygen available to the heart.
A nurse is discussing the difference between stable and variant angina with a group of nursing students. Which statement by a student indicates the need for further teaching?
a. “Beta blockers are effective in stable angina but not in variant angina.”
b. “In both types of angina, prophylactic treatment is possible.”
c. “Variant angina is primarily treated with vasodilators to increase oxygen supply.”
d. “Variant angina is the result of increased oxygen demand by the heart.”
D
Variant angina is caused by coronary artery spasm, which reduces the oxygen supply to the heart. Beta blockers are not effective in variant angina but are useful with stable angina. Medications may be given to prevent anginal attacks in both types of angina. Vasodilators are used in variant angina to relieve coronary artery spasm and increase the oxygen supply to the heart.
A patient with new-onset exertional angina takes a nitroglycerin sublingual tablet, but the pain intensifies. The nurse notes that the patient has a heart rate of 76 beats per minute and a blood pressure of 120/82 mm Hg. The electrocardiogram is normal. The patient’s lips and nail beds are pink, and there is no respiratory distress. The nurse will anticipate providing:
a. an angiotensin-converting enzyme (ACE) inhibitor.
b. intravenous nitroglycerin and a beta blocker.
c. ranolazine (Ranexa) and quinidine.
d. supplemental oxygen and intravenous morphine.
B
This patient has unstable angina, and the next step, when pain is unrelieved by sublingual nitroglycerin, is to give intravenous nitroglycerin and a beta blocker. ACE inhibitors should be given to patients with persistent hypertension if they have left ventricular dysfunction or congestive heart failure (CHF). Ranolazine is a first-line angina drug, but it should not be given with quinidine because of the risk of increasing the QT interval. Supplemental oxygen is indicated if cyanosis or respiratory distress is present. IV morphine may be given if the pain is unrelieved by nitroglycerin.
A patient asks a nurse how nitroglycerin works to relieve anginal pain. The nurse correctly states, “Nitroglycerin:
a. dilates coronary arteries to increase blood flow to the heart.”
b. increases the oxygen supply to the cardiac muscle.”
c. increases ventricular filling to improve cardiac output.”
d. promotes vasodilation, which reduces preload and oxygen demand.”
D
Nitroglycerin dilates the veins, which reduces venous return to the heart, which in turn decreases ventricular filling. The resulting decrease in preload reduces the oxygen requirements of the heart. Nitroglycerin does not increase the blood flow or oxygen supply to the heart. An increase in ventricular filling would increase oxygen demand and result in increased anginal pain.
A hospitalized patient complains of acute chest pain. The nurse administers a 0.3 mg sublingual nitroglycerin tablet, but the patient continues to complain of pain. Vital signs remain stable. What is the nurse’s next step?
a. Apply a nitroglycerin transdermal patch.
b. Continue dosing at 10-minute intervals.
c. Give a second dose of nitroglycerin in 5 minutes.
d. Request an order for intravenous nitroglycerin.
C
An initial dose of sublingual nitroglycerin is taken, and if the chest pain persists, as in this case, the patient should take another dose in 5 minutes. Transdermal delivery systems are not useful for terminating an ongoing attack. Dosing at 10-minute intervals is incorrect. If the patient fails to respond or if the pain intensifies, intravenous nitroglycerin may be indicated.
A patient who has begun using transdermal nitroglycerin for angina reports occasional periods of tachycardia. The nurse will expect the prescriber to order:
a. digoxin (Lanoxin) to slow the heart rate.
b. immediate discontinuation of the nitroglycerin.
c. periods of rest when the heart rate increases.
d. verapamil as an adjunct to nitroglycerin therapy.
D
Nitroglycerin lowers blood pressure by reducing venous return and dilating the arterioles. The lowered blood pressure activates the baroreceptor reflex, causing reflex tachycardia, which can increase cardiac demand and negate the therapeutic effects of nitroglycerin. Treatment with a beta blocker or verapamil suppresses the heart to slow the rate. Digoxin is not recommended. Discontinuation of the nitroglycerin is not indicated. Resting does not slow the heart when the baroreceptor reflex is the cause of the tachycardia.
A patient with angina who uses sublingual nitroglycerin tells the nurse that the episodes are increasing in frequency and usually occur when the patient walks the dog. The patient reports needing almost daily doses of the nitroglycerin and states that one tablet usually provides complete relief. What will the nurse do?
a. Contact the provider to suggest ordering a transdermal patch for this patient.
b. Question the patient about consumption of grapefruit juice.
c. Suggest that the patient limit walking the dog to shorter distances less frequently.
d. Suggest that the patient take two tablets of nitroglycerin each time, because the symptoms are increasing in frequency.
A
Transdermal patches are good for sustained prophylaxis for anginal attacks and are especially useful when patients have a regular pattern of attacks. Grapefruit juice does not affect the metabolism of nitroglycerin. Patients with angina should be encouraged to increase, not decrease, exercise. Taking two tablets is not recommended when one is effective.
A nursing student asks a nurse how beta blockers increase the oxygen supply to the heart in the treatment of anginal pain. The nurse tells the student that beta blockers:
a. dilate arterioles to improve myocardial circulation.
b. improve cardiac contractility, which makes the heart more efficient.
c. increase arterial pressure to improve cardiac afterload.
d. increase the time the heart is in diastole.
D
Beta blockers increase the time the heart is in diastole, which increases the time during which blood flows through the myocardial vessels, allowing more oxygen to reach the heart. Beta blockers do not dilate arterioles. They do not increase cardiac contractility; they decrease it, which reduces the cardiac oxygen demand. They do not increase arterial pressure, which would increase the cardiac oxygen demand.
A patient with stable exertional angina has been receiving a beta blocker. Before giving the drug, the nurse notes a resting heart rate of 55 beats per minute. Which is an appropriate nursing action?
a. Administer the drug as ordered, because this is a desired effect.
b. Withhold the dose and notify the provider of the heart rate.
c. Request an order for a lower dose of the medication.
d. Request an order to change to another antianginal medication.
A
When beta blockers are used for anginal pain, the dosing goal is to reduce the resting heart rate to 50 to 60 beats per minute. Because this heart rate is a desired effect, there is no need to withhold the dose or notify the provider. The dosage does not need to be lowered, because a heart rate of 55 beats per minute is a desired effect. There is no indication of a need to change medications for this patient.
A patient is taking a calcium channel blocker (CCB) for stable angina. The patient’s spouse asks how calcium channel blockers relieve pain. The nurse will explain that CCBs:
a. help relax peripheral arterioles to reduce afterload.
b. improve coronary artery perfusion.
c. increase the heart rate to improve myocardial contractility.
d. increase the QT interval.
A
CCBs promote relaxation of peripheral arterioles, resulting in a decrease in afterload, which reduces the cardiac oxygen demand. CCBs do not improve coronary artery perfusion. CCBs reduce the heart rate and suppress contractility. CCBs do not affect the QT interval.
A patient with variant angina wants to know why a beta blocker cannot be used to treat the angina. Which response by the nurse is correct?
a. “A beta1-selective beta blocker could be used for variant angina.”
b. “Beta blockers do not help relax coronary artery spasm.”
c. “Beta blockers do not help to improve the cardiac oxygen supply.”
d. “Beta blockers promote constriction of arterial smooth muscle.”
B
Variant angina occurs when coronary arteries go into spasm, thus reducing the circulation and oxygen supply to the heart. CCBs help to reduce coronary artery spasm; beta blockers do not. Beta1-selective beta blockers are used for stable angina for patients who also have asthma, because they do not activate beta2 receptors in the lungs to cause bronchoconstriction. Beta blockers help improve the oxygen supply in stable angina, but they do not relieve coronary artery spasm, so they are not useful in variant angina. Beta blockers do not constrict arterial smooth muscle.
A nursing student is helping to care for a patient who takes verapamil for stable angina. The nurse asks the student to explain the purpose of verapamil in the treatment of this patient. Which statement by the student indicates a need for further teaching?
a. “It relaxes coronary artery spasms.”
b. “It reduces peripheral resistance to reduce oxygen demands.”
c. “It reduces the heart rate, AV conduction, and contractility.”
d. “It relaxes the peripheral arterioles to reduce afterload.”
A
Verapamil does relax coronary artery spasms, but this is not useful in stable angina. Verapamil is used to relax coronary artery spasms in variant asthma. When used to treat stable angina, verapamil promotes relaxation of peripheral arterioles, which reduces peripheral resistance and decreases afterload. It also reduces the heart rate, AV conduction, and contractility.
A patient with angina who is taking ranolazine (Ranexa) has developed a respiratory infection and a dysrhythmia. The provider has ordered azithromycin (Zithromax) for the infection and amlodipine for the dysrhythmia. A nursing student caring for this patient tells the nurse that the patient’s heart rate is 70 beats per minute, and the blood pressure is 128/80 mm Hg. The nurse asks the student to discuss the plan for this patient’s care. Which action is correct?
a. Observe the patient closely for signs of respiratory toxicity.
b. Question the order for azithromycin (Zithromax).
c. Report the patient’s increase in blood pressure to the provider.
d. Request an order for a different calcium channel blocker.
B
Agents that inhibit CYP3A4 can increase levels of ranolazine and also the risk of torsades de pointes. Macrolide antibiotics, such as azithromycin, are CYP3A4 inhibitors. Respiratory toxicity is not an expected effect with this patient. The patient’s blood pressure is not elevated enough to notify the provider. Amlodipine is the only CCB that should be used with ranolazine.
A nurse provides teaching to a patient with angina who also has type 2 diabetes mellitus, asthma, and hypertension. Which statement by the patient indicates a need for further teaching?
a. “An ACE inhibitor, in addition to nitroglycerin, will lower my risk of cardiovascular death.”
b. “Beta blockers can help control hypertension.”
c. “I should begin regular aerobic exercise.”
d. “Long-acting, slow-release calcium channel blockers can help with anginal pain.”
B
Beta blockers can be used for angina in most patients but are contraindicated in patients with asthma, because they cause bronchoconstriction. ACE inhibitors help reduce the risk of death in patients with hypertension. Regular aerobic exercise is recommended to control weight and improve cardiovascular function. Long-acting, slow-release CCBs are recommended for patients who have coexisting type 2 diabetes.
A patient with asthma and depression develops stable angina. In addition to organic nitrites, which other medications will be used to treat this condition? (Select all that apply.)
a. ACE inhibitors
b. Antiplatelet drugs
c. Beta blockers
d. Calcium channel blockers
e. Cholesterol-lowering drugs
A, B, D, E
ACE inhibitors have shown benefit in reducing the incidence of adverse outcomes in patients with coronary artery disease (CAD) and are recommended as part of therapy. Antiplatelet drugs are recommended to reduce the risk of thrombus formation. CCBs are used as adjuncts to nitroglycerin and are safe in patients with asthma and depression. Cholesterol-lowering drugs are recommended to help slow the progression of CAD. Beta blockers are not recommended in patients with asthma or depression.
