NUR 2474 Module 5 Notes
Module 05 - Cardiovascular and Renal Medications
Cardiovascular Drugs/Drug Classes:
1. Positive Inotropic drugs
o Digoxin (Glycoside) & Dopamine (Sympathomimetic)
- These strengthen the force of the heartbeat.
2. Antiarrhythmic drugs
o Amiodarone & Adenosine
- Used to treat abnormal rhythms of the heart, such as atrial fibrillation,
atrial flutter, ventricular tachycardia, and ventricular fibrillation.
- Blocks the membrane sodium, potassium, and calcium channels
3. Antianginal drugs
o Nitroglycerin (Nitrates)
- These relax smooth muscle within the blood vessels, widening them
and making it easier for blood and oxygen to reach the heart
o Nifedipine & Verapamil (Calcium blockers)
- These prevent calcium from entering the smooth muscle cells of the
heart and relax and open up the narrowed blood vessels, which reduces
heart rate and lower blood pressure.
o Propranolol & Metoprolol (Beta blockers)
- These reduce the heart rate, the heart's workload and the heart's
output of blood, which lowers blood pressure by slowing the heart.
4. Antihypertensive drugs
o Furosemide, Hydrochlorothiazide, Spironolactone, & Triamterene (Diuretics)
- These help the body get rid of excess sodium (salt) and water and help
control blood pressure
o Propranolol & Metoprolol (Beta-blockers)
- These reduce the heart rate, the heart's workload and the heart's
output of blood, which lowers blood pressure by slowing the heart.
o Captopril (ACE inhibitors)
- These help the body produce less angiotensin, which helps the blood
vessels relax and open up, which, in turn, lowers blood pressure.
o Losartan (Angiotensin II receptor blockers)
- These block the angiotensin receptors so the angiotensin fails to
constrict the blood vessel. This means blood vessels stay open and
blood pressure is reduced.
o Nifedipine & Verapamil (Calcium channel blockers)
- These prevent calcium from entering the smooth muscle cells of the
heart and relax and open up the narrowed blood vessels, which reduces
heart rate and lower blood pressure.
5. Diuretics
o Furosemide (Loop), Hydrochlorothiazide (Thiazide), Spironolactone &
Triamterene (Potassium-Sparing)
, - These help the body get rid of excess sodium (salt) and water and help
control blood pressure
6. Antiepileptic drugs
o Phenytoin /Hydantoin
- Level: 10-20
- Treats seizures by blocking sodium channels to slow down impulses in
the brain
- Effects: Gingival hyperplasia and Teratogenic
- Monitor: blood levels
- Interventions: Get up slowly, Fall precautions, Oral care/Dental check-
ups, Take with food, Folic acid, Vitamin K shot, and Avoid milk
- Dilantin is the commonly used antiseizure med
- Low abuse potential and CNS depression
o Phenobarbital
- Treats seizures/epilepsy by increasing GABA receptors
- Effects: drowsiness, headache, nausea, vomiting, and loss of appetite
o Lamotrigine
- Treats seizures and bipolar disorder by blocking sodium channels
- Effects: dizziness, double/blurry vision, Steven Johnson’s syndrome,
aseptic meningitis, and suicide.
Hypertension
o Factors responsible for BP
- Cardiac output - ↑output = ↑BP
- HR
- Peripheral Resistance- Constriction or relaxation of the vessels
▪ R/T kidney function
▪ R/T Nervous system
▪ R/T Vasculature
- Blood volume
o Nonpharmacologic management
- Diet
- Exercise
- Limit alcohol
- No tobacco
- Reduce saturated fat and cholesterol
- Manage stress levels
Blood Pressure Control
o Blood Pressure Regulation
Module 05 - Cardiovascular and Renal Medications
Cardiovascular Drugs/Drug Classes:
1. Positive Inotropic drugs
o Digoxin (Glycoside) & Dopamine (Sympathomimetic)
- These strengthen the force of the heartbeat.
2. Antiarrhythmic drugs
o Amiodarone & Adenosine
- Used to treat abnormal rhythms of the heart, such as atrial fibrillation,
atrial flutter, ventricular tachycardia, and ventricular fibrillation.
- Blocks the membrane sodium, potassium, and calcium channels
3. Antianginal drugs
o Nitroglycerin (Nitrates)
- These relax smooth muscle within the blood vessels, widening them
and making it easier for blood and oxygen to reach the heart
o Nifedipine & Verapamil (Calcium blockers)
- These prevent calcium from entering the smooth muscle cells of the
heart and relax and open up the narrowed blood vessels, which reduces
heart rate and lower blood pressure.
o Propranolol & Metoprolol (Beta blockers)
- These reduce the heart rate, the heart's workload and the heart's
output of blood, which lowers blood pressure by slowing the heart.
4. Antihypertensive drugs
o Furosemide, Hydrochlorothiazide, Spironolactone, & Triamterene (Diuretics)
- These help the body get rid of excess sodium (salt) and water and help
control blood pressure
o Propranolol & Metoprolol (Beta-blockers)
- These reduce the heart rate, the heart's workload and the heart's
output of blood, which lowers blood pressure by slowing the heart.
o Captopril (ACE inhibitors)
- These help the body produce less angiotensin, which helps the blood
vessels relax and open up, which, in turn, lowers blood pressure.
o Losartan (Angiotensin II receptor blockers)
- These block the angiotensin receptors so the angiotensin fails to
constrict the blood vessel. This means blood vessels stay open and
blood pressure is reduced.
o Nifedipine & Verapamil (Calcium channel blockers)
- These prevent calcium from entering the smooth muscle cells of the
heart and relax and open up the narrowed blood vessels, which reduces
heart rate and lower blood pressure.
5. Diuretics
o Furosemide (Loop), Hydrochlorothiazide (Thiazide), Spironolactone &
Triamterene (Potassium-Sparing)
, - These help the body get rid of excess sodium (salt) and water and help
control blood pressure
6. Antiepileptic drugs
o Phenytoin /Hydantoin
- Level: 10-20
- Treats seizures by blocking sodium channels to slow down impulses in
the brain
- Effects: Gingival hyperplasia and Teratogenic
- Monitor: blood levels
- Interventions: Get up slowly, Fall precautions, Oral care/Dental check-
ups, Take with food, Folic acid, Vitamin K shot, and Avoid milk
- Dilantin is the commonly used antiseizure med
- Low abuse potential and CNS depression
o Phenobarbital
- Treats seizures/epilepsy by increasing GABA receptors
- Effects: drowsiness, headache, nausea, vomiting, and loss of appetite
o Lamotrigine
- Treats seizures and bipolar disorder by blocking sodium channels
- Effects: dizziness, double/blurry vision, Steven Johnson’s syndrome,
aseptic meningitis, and suicide.
Hypertension
o Factors responsible for BP
- Cardiac output - ↑output = ↑BP
- HR
- Peripheral Resistance- Constriction or relaxation of the vessels
▪ R/T kidney function
▪ R/T Nervous system
▪ R/T Vasculature
- Blood volume
o Nonpharmacologic management
- Diet
- Exercise
- Limit alcohol
- No tobacco
- Reduce saturated fat and cholesterol
- Manage stress levels
Blood Pressure Control
o Blood Pressure Regulation
