Heart failure drugs

Question 1

some causes of HF (which impair pumping ability or increase cardiac workload)

Answer 1

• excessive IV fluids or blood transfusions
• anti-dysrythmic medications
• drugs that cause sodium and water retention

Question 2

symptoms of HF:

Answer 2

• dyspnea
• fatigue
• lead to: excercise intolerance, fluid retention,
• resulting in pulmonary congestion and peripheral edema

Question 3

medication for HF:

Answer 3

• diuertics in combination with (angiotensin-converting enzyme (ACE inhbitor) or Angiotensin II receptor blocker (ARB)
• digoxin may be added to above combinations

Question 4

factors that decrease absorption of digoxin

Answer 4

• presence of food in the GI tract

- concurrent administration of some medications

Question 5

digoxin toxicity may occur at

Answer 5

any serum level so frequent monitoring is important

Question 6

indications for use of digoxin

Answer 6

-improves ejection fraction and excercise tolerance

Question 7

administration and digitization: digoxin

Answer 7

• given orally or IV (IM not recommended because of pain and possible muscle necrosis at injection site)
• maximum drug effect occurs when steady state tissue concentration is achieved
• occurs aprox in 1 week

Question 8

digoxin has narrow thearpeutic index this is

Answer 8

0.6-2.6 mmol/L

Question 9

one sign of digoxin toxicity is

Answer 9

blurred vision

Question 10

contributing factors that my increase change of digoxin toxicity

Answer 10

• impaired renal function, electrolyte imbalance
• age extremes (young or old)
• concurrent cardiac medication treatment

Question 11

ACE inhibitors adverse effects

Answer 11

• a persistant cough
• acute hypotension
• hyperkalemia

Question 12

ARB’s (angiotension II receptor blockers) alone are ineffective in

Answer 12

african-americans/canadians (calcium channel blockers are considered first choice drug)