ATI PHARMACOLOGY MOST TESTED
QUESTIONS AND 100% CORRECT
ANSWERS
Antihypertensives
These drugs affect both the blood pressure and the rhythm of the heart. Monitor
patient blood pressure. Orthostatic hypotension is a common side effect.
1) Betablockers
2) Alpha 1 Blockers
3) Calcium Channel blockers
4) ACE Inhibitors
5) ARB Inhibitors
6) Diuretics
Betablockers
Usually end in -olol.
Propranolol (Inderal)
Atenolol (Tenormin)
Metoprolol (Lopressor)
What additional effects of betablockers should the nurse monitor?
The nurse should monitor for broncho constriction and bronchospasms due to beta-
2 adrenergic blocking mechanisms.
In what population should betablockers be used cautiously in?
Betablockers should be used cautiously in patients who suffer from asthma.
Beta blockers can mask tachycardia in patients suffering from hypovolemia and
hypoglycemic symptoms seen in diabetic patients.
What affects do betablockers cause?
Therapeutic effects include decreasing blood pressure and heart rate.
Alpha 1 blocker
Clonidine (Catapres)
What affects do alpha 1 blockers cause?
They cause systemic vasodilation by directly acting on smooth muscle of arteries.
What adverse effects can alpha 1 blockers cause?
Hypotension, dizziness, sedation.
,In what form are alpha 1 blockers usually administered?
Alpha 1 blockers are generally administered as a patch and are changed once a
week.
Calcium Channel Blockers
Verapamil (Calan)
Dilitiazem (Cardizem)
Amlodipine (Norvasc)
Nifedipine (Procardia)
How do calcium channel blockers work?
They block the influx of calcium into myocardium resulting in a decrease in
contractility. It helps keep vasculature relaxed and decreases SA and AV node
conduction.
What is a common adverse effect caused by verapamil (Calan)?
A common adverse effect is constipation.
What should the nurse monitor in a patient receiving calcium channel
blockers?
The nurse should monitor for edema and hypotension.
ACE Inhibitors
Usually end in -pril.
Enalapril (Vasotec)
Lisinopril (Zestril)
Captopril (Capoten)
How do ACE-Is work?
They block angiotensin converting enzymes in the renin-angiotensin loop resulting
in decreased blood pressure which decreases workload on the heart.
What are adverse effects of ACE Inhibitors?
Adverse effects include hypotension, dry cough, and angioedema.
What should the nurse monitor for in patients receiving ACE Inhibitors?
The nurse should monitor the patient's renal function.
Angioedema
A hypersensitivity reaction of the dermis, mucosa, and submucosa tissues resulting
in life threatening airway obstruction.
Epinephrine is treatment of choice.
, ARB Inhibitor
Usually end in -artan.
Losartan (Cozaar)
Valsartan (Diovan)
Irbesartan (Avapro)
How do ARB Inhibitors work?
These work by blocking angiotensin II receptors in the angiotensin loop.
What should the nurse monitor in a patient receiving ARB Inhibitors?
The nurse should monitor potassium levels and renal function.
What adverse effect may occur from ARB Inhibitors?
Angioedema can occur.
Diuretics
These are used for both antihypertensive effects and to control edema.
What should the nurse monitor in a patient receiving diuretics?
The nurse should monitor electrolytes, dehydration, orthostatic
hypotension, digoxin and lithium toxicity, hyperglycemia.
In what type of patient should diuretics be used cautiously?
Diuretics should be used with caution in patients with renal impairment.
Thiazide Diuretics
Hydrochlorothiazide (HCTZ)
Loop Diuretics
Furosemide (Lasix)
Bumetanide (Bumex)
What should the nurse monitor in patients receiving loop diuretics?
The nurse should monitor for signs of hypotension, ototoxicity, and potassium
depletion.
What allergy should the nurse check for in a patient receiving loop
diuretics?
The nurse should ask the patient if they are allergic to sulfa based medications.
Potassium-Sparing Diuretics
Spironolactone (Aldactone)
What are potassium-sparing diuretics used for?
QUESTIONS AND 100% CORRECT
ANSWERS
Antihypertensives
These drugs affect both the blood pressure and the rhythm of the heart. Monitor
patient blood pressure. Orthostatic hypotension is a common side effect.
1) Betablockers
2) Alpha 1 Blockers
3) Calcium Channel blockers
4) ACE Inhibitors
5) ARB Inhibitors
6) Diuretics
Betablockers
Usually end in -olol.
Propranolol (Inderal)
Atenolol (Tenormin)
Metoprolol (Lopressor)
What additional effects of betablockers should the nurse monitor?
The nurse should monitor for broncho constriction and bronchospasms due to beta-
2 adrenergic blocking mechanisms.
In what population should betablockers be used cautiously in?
Betablockers should be used cautiously in patients who suffer from asthma.
Beta blockers can mask tachycardia in patients suffering from hypovolemia and
hypoglycemic symptoms seen in diabetic patients.
What affects do betablockers cause?
Therapeutic effects include decreasing blood pressure and heart rate.
Alpha 1 blocker
Clonidine (Catapres)
What affects do alpha 1 blockers cause?
They cause systemic vasodilation by directly acting on smooth muscle of arteries.
What adverse effects can alpha 1 blockers cause?
Hypotension, dizziness, sedation.
,In what form are alpha 1 blockers usually administered?
Alpha 1 blockers are generally administered as a patch and are changed once a
week.
Calcium Channel Blockers
Verapamil (Calan)
Dilitiazem (Cardizem)
Amlodipine (Norvasc)
Nifedipine (Procardia)
How do calcium channel blockers work?
They block the influx of calcium into myocardium resulting in a decrease in
contractility. It helps keep vasculature relaxed and decreases SA and AV node
conduction.
What is a common adverse effect caused by verapamil (Calan)?
A common adverse effect is constipation.
What should the nurse monitor in a patient receiving calcium channel
blockers?
The nurse should monitor for edema and hypotension.
ACE Inhibitors
Usually end in -pril.
Enalapril (Vasotec)
Lisinopril (Zestril)
Captopril (Capoten)
How do ACE-Is work?
They block angiotensin converting enzymes in the renin-angiotensin loop resulting
in decreased blood pressure which decreases workload on the heart.
What are adverse effects of ACE Inhibitors?
Adverse effects include hypotension, dry cough, and angioedema.
What should the nurse monitor for in patients receiving ACE Inhibitors?
The nurse should monitor the patient's renal function.
Angioedema
A hypersensitivity reaction of the dermis, mucosa, and submucosa tissues resulting
in life threatening airway obstruction.
Epinephrine is treatment of choice.
, ARB Inhibitor
Usually end in -artan.
Losartan (Cozaar)
Valsartan (Diovan)
Irbesartan (Avapro)
How do ARB Inhibitors work?
These work by blocking angiotensin II receptors in the angiotensin loop.
What should the nurse monitor in a patient receiving ARB Inhibitors?
The nurse should monitor potassium levels and renal function.
What adverse effect may occur from ARB Inhibitors?
Angioedema can occur.
Diuretics
These are used for both antihypertensive effects and to control edema.
What should the nurse monitor in a patient receiving diuretics?
The nurse should monitor electrolytes, dehydration, orthostatic
hypotension, digoxin and lithium toxicity, hyperglycemia.
In what type of patient should diuretics be used cautiously?
Diuretics should be used with caution in patients with renal impairment.
Thiazide Diuretics
Hydrochlorothiazide (HCTZ)
Loop Diuretics
Furosemide (Lasix)
Bumetanide (Bumex)
What should the nurse monitor in patients receiving loop diuretics?
The nurse should monitor for signs of hypotension, ototoxicity, and potassium
depletion.
What allergy should the nurse check for in a patient receiving loop
diuretics?
The nurse should ask the patient if they are allergic to sulfa based medications.
Potassium-Sparing Diuretics
Spironolactone (Aldactone)
What are potassium-sparing diuretics used for?
