Medication Classifications

Question 1

Captopril

Answer 1

Anti-hypertensive: ACE Inhibitor

Question 2

Enalapril

Answer 2

Anti-hypertensive: ACE Inhibitor

Question 3

Lisinopril

Answer 3

Anti-hypertensive: ACE Inhibitor

Question 4

”–pril”

Answer 4

Anti-hypertensive: ACE Inhibitor

Question 5

Atenolol

Answer 5

Anti-hypertensive: Beta Blocker

Question 6

Nadolol

Answer 6

Anti-hypertensive: Beta Blocker

Question 7

Propranolol

Answer 7

Anti-hypertensive: Beta Blocker

Question 8

”–olol”

Answer 8

Anti-hypertensive: Beta Blocker

Question 9

Nifedipine

Answer 9

Anti-hypertensive: Calcium Channel Blocker

Question 10

Verapamil

Answer 10

Anti-hypertensive: Calcium Channel Blocker

Question 11

Diltiazem

Answer 11

Anti-hypertensive: Calcium Channel Blocker

Question 12

Clonidine

Answer 12

Antihypertensive and Sedative

Question 13

Methyldopa

Answer 13

Antihypertensive

Question 14

Hydralazine

Answer 14

Vasodilator

Question 15

Minoxidil

Answer 15

Vasodilator

Question 16

ACE Inhibitors

Answer 16

Angiotensin-converting enzyme (ACE) inhibitors help relax blood vessels.

ACE inhibitors prevent an enzyme in your body from producing angiotensin II, a substance in your body that affects your cardiovascular system by narrowing your blood vessels and releasing hormones that can raise your blood pressure.

Question 17

ACE Inhibitors - Side Effects

Answer 17

Possible ACE inhibitor side effects include:

Dry cough
Increased blood-potassium level (hyperkalemia)
Fatigue
Dizziness
Headaches
Rapid heartbeat
Fainting

Question 18

ACE Inhibitors - Interactions

Answer 18

Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs), such as ibuprofen (Advil, Motrin IB, others) and naproxen (Aleve) decrease the effectiveness of ACE inhibitors.

Question 19

Beta Blockers

Answer 19

Beta blockers work by blocking the effects of the hormone epinephrine, also known as adrenaline. When you take beta blockers, the heart beats more slowly and with less force, thereby reducing blood pressure. Beta blockers also help blood vessels open up to improve blood flow.

Question 20

Beta Blockers Treat…

Answer 20

Doctors prescribe beta blockers to prevent, treat or improve symptoms in a variety of conditions, such as:

High blood pressure
Irregular heart rhythm (arrhythmia)
Heart failure
Chest pain (angina)
Heart attacks
Glaucoma
Migraines
Generalized anxiety disorder
Hyperthyroidism
Certain types of tremors
Beta blockers aren't usually prescribed until other blood pressure medications, such as diuretics, haven't worked effectively. Your doctor may prescribe beta blockers as one of several medications to lower your blood pressure, including angiotensin-converting enzyme (ACE) inhibitors, diuretics or calcium channel blockers.

Beta blockers may not work as effectively for blacks as for people of other races, especially when taken without other blood pressure medications.

Question 21

Beta Blockers: Side Effects

Answer 21

Side effects may occur in people taking beta blockers. However, many people who take beta blockers won’t have any side effects.

Common side effects of beta blockers include:

Fatigue
Cold hands
Headache
Upset stomach
Constipation
Diarrhea
Dizziness

Question 22

Beta Blockers: Remember…

Answer 22

Beta blockers generally aren’t used in people with asthma because of concerns that the medication may trigger severe asthma attacks. In people who have diabetes, beta blockers may block signs of low blood sugar, such as rapid heartbeat. It’s important to monitor your blood sugar on a regular basis.

Beta blockers can also affect your cholesterol and triglyceride levels, causing a slight increase in triglycerides and a modest decrease in high-density lipoprotein, the “good” cholesterol. These changes often are temporary. You shouldn’t abruptly stop taking a beta blocker because doing so could increase your risk of a heart attack or other heart problems.

Question 23

Calcium Channel Blocker

Answer 23

Calcium channel blockers prevent calcium from entering cells of the heart and blood vessel walls, resulting in lower blood pressure. Calcium channel blockers, also called calcium antagonists, relax and widen blood vessels by affecting the muscle cells in the arterial walls.

Some calcium channel blockers have the added benefit of slowing your heart rate, which can further reduce blood pressure, relieve chest pain (angina) and control an irregular heartbeat.

Question 24

Calcium Channel Blockers: Uses

Answer 24

Doctors prescribe calcium channel blockers to prevent, treat or improve symptoms in a variety of conditions, such as:

High blood pressure
Chest pain (angina)
Brain aneurysm complications
Irregular heartbeats (arrhythmia)
Migraine
Some circulatory conditions, such as Raynaud’s disease
High blood pressure that affects the arteries in your lungs (pulmonary hypertension)

Question 25

Calcium Channel Blockers: Considerations

Answer 25

Calcium channel blockers may not be as effective as diuretics, beta blockers or angiotensin-converting enzyme (ACE) inhibitors at lowering blood pressure. Because of this, calcium channel blockers aren’t usually the first medication you’d be prescribed to lower your blood pressure.

However, for blacks, calcium channel blockers may be more effective than other blood pressure medications, such as beta blockers, ACE inhibitors or angiotensin II receptor blockers.

Question 26

Calcium Channel Blockers: Side Effects

Answer 26

Side effects of calcium channel blockers may include:

Constipation
Headache
Rapid heartbeat (tachycardia)
Dizziness
Rash
Fatigue
Flushing
Nausea
Swelling in the feet and lower legs

Certain calcium channel blockers interact with grapefruit products. Check with your pharmacist or physician before taking a calcium channel blocker. Some calcium channel blockers can reduce your ability to eliminate calcium channel blockers from your body, allowing the medication to build up in your body. This buildup could cause serious side effects.

Question 27

Insulin

Answer 27

Reduces blood glucose levels
Adverse Effects: Hypoglycemia
Nursing Considerations: Teach client to rotate sites. Only REGULAR insulin can be given IV; all can be given SQ