Accupril Flashcards

Study Notes

Accupril Overview

Generic name: Quinapril
Trade name: Accupril
Classification:
- Therapeutic: Antihypertensives
- Pharmacologic: ACE inhibitors

Therapeutic Action

Effectively lowers blood pressure in hypertensive patients
Decreases afterload in patients with congestive heart failure (CHF)
Reduces the development of overt heart failure
Increases survival rates following myocardial infarction (MI)

Side Effects

CNS: Dizziness, fatigue, headache, insomnia, weakness
Respiratory: Cough, eosinophilic pneumonitis
Cardiovascular: Hypotension, angina pectoris, tachycardia
Gastrointestinal: Taste disturbances, anorexia, diarrhea, rare hepatotoxicity, nausea
Genitourinary: Proteinuria, renal failure
Fluids & Electrolytes: Hyperkalemia
Miscellaneous: Angioedema, fever

Nursing Implications: Assessment

Monitor blood pressure (BP) and pulse, especially during initial dose adjustment
Check frequency of prescription refills to assess patient adherence
Assess weight and signs of fluid overload (edema, rales, dyspnea, weight gain, jugular venous distention)
Evaluate BUN, creatinine, and electrolyte levels for potential kidney issues
Monitor Complete Blood Count (CBC) periodically for any hematological changes
Check liver function tests for possible increases in AST, ALT, alkaline phosphatase, bilirubin, uric acid, and glucose
Assess urine protein over the first year for patients with renal impairment
Monitor CBC with differential at treatment initiation and regularly for patients at risk of neutropenia

Nursing Diagnoses

Potential diagnoses: Decreased cardiac output, noncompliance with medication regimen

Implementation

Avoid confusion between Accupril (quinapril) and Monopril (fosinopril) or Accutane (isotretinoin)
Expect a potential drop in BP during the first few hours post-initiation and manage with volume expansion if necessary
Consider temporarily stopping diuretics or increasing salt intake prior to treatment to minimize hypotension risks

Patient/Family Teaching

Instruct patients to take medications consistently at the same time daily, and to not double doses if a dose is missed
Advise avoiding potassium or sodium salt substitutes unless directed
Caution to change positions slowly to reduce hypotension risk, especially after the first dose
Recommend consulting with healthcare providers before taking OTC medications
Inform patients of possible dizziness and impairment in taste; advise against driving or engaging in tasks requiring full alertness until they know how the medication affects them

Description

Test your knowledge on Accupril, a well-known ACE inhibitor used for treating hypertension and heart failure. These flashcards cover the drug's classification, therapeutic actions, and key definitions. Perfect for pharmacy students or healthcare professionals looking to refresh their understanding of this medication.

Accupril Flashcards

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Questions and Answers

What is Accupril classified as?

What is Accupril's therapeutic action?

Which of the following are side effects of Accupril? (Select all that apply)

What should be monitored during Accupril therapy?

Accupril should be taken at any time of the day regardless of the patient's condition.

What is the recommended action if a patient misses a dose of Accupril?

What should patients do to minimize hypotension when taking Accupril?

Accupril is a(n) __________ inhibitor.