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Questions and Answers
What is a common adverse effect of beta blockers?
What is a common adverse effect of beta blockers?
Which condition is NOT treated by antihypertensives?
Which condition is NOT treated by antihypertensives?
What should be monitored when administering calcium channel blockers?
What should be monitored when administering calcium channel blockers?
Which adverse effect is specific to peripheral vasodilators?
Which adverse effect is specific to peripheral vasodilators?
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How do most antihypertensives primarily work?
How do most antihypertensives primarily work?
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What is a common adverse effect of ACE inhibitors?
What is a common adverse effect of ACE inhibitors?
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Which adverse effect may occur with central acting anti-adrenergics?
Which adverse effect may occur with central acting anti-adrenergics?
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What is NOT a potential effect of antihypertensives?
What is NOT a potential effect of antihypertensives?
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Which symptom is a possible adverse effect of hypertensive emergency drugs?
Which symptom is a possible adverse effect of hypertensive emergency drugs?
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What is a potential side effect of peripheral acting anti-adrenergics?
What is a potential side effect of peripheral acting anti-adrenergics?
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Which class of antihypertensive drugs ends with 'olol'?
Which class of antihypertensive drugs ends with 'olol'?
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What should be monitored before administering antihypertensives?
What should be monitored before administering antihypertensives?
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Which antihypertensive drug is an example of a calcium channel blocker?
Which antihypertensive drug is an example of a calcium channel blocker?
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What is a potential side effect of many antihypertensives?
What is a potential side effect of many antihypertensives?
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Which class of drugs typically ends with 'sartan'?
Which class of drugs typically ends with 'sartan'?
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What should patients do to prevent orthostatic hypotension when getting out of bed?
What should patients do to prevent orthostatic hypotension when getting out of bed?
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Which drug can cause urine to turn brown?
Which drug can cause urine to turn brown?
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What should patients be advised not to do with antihypertensive medications?
What should patients be advised not to do with antihypertensive medications?
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Which of the following is NOT a peripheral acting anti-adrenergic?
Which of the following is NOT a peripheral acting anti-adrenergic?
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What should patients recognize as signs of heart failure?
What should patients recognize as signs of heart failure?
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Study Notes
Antihypertensives
- Most antihypertensives affect the renin-angiotensin system, a powerful vasoconstrictor
- Vasoconstriction increases blood pressure.
- Calcium channel blockers, beta blockers, and peripheral vasodilators decrease heart rate and/or blood pressure.
- When administering beta blockers and calcium channel blockers, check pulse and blood pressure.
- All antihypertensives can cause hypotension.
- Antihypertensives are used for hypertension, hypertensive emergencies, and to diagnose pheochromocytoma (a tumor of the adrenal glands that causes high blood pressure).
Adverse Effects
- Peripheral Vasodilators: Hypotension, dizziness, angina, headache, hirsutism (masculine hair distribution in females), nasal congestion, fatigue, sodium and water retention.
- Beta Blockers: Bradycardia, hypotension, heart failure, dizziness, arrhythmias, decreased libido, impotence, constipation, diarrhea.
- Central Acting Anti-Adrenergics: Drowsiness, sedation, headache, dry mouth, hypotension, syncope, fluid retention, constipation.
- Peripheral Acting Anti-Adrenergics: Headache, fatigue, hypotension, lethargy, dyspepsia (heartburn), headache.
- Alpha Adrenergics: Headache, fatigue, hypotension, sexual dysfunction, lack of energy.
- ACE Inhibitors: Cough, nausea, hypotension, headache, fatigue.
- Angiotensin II Receptor Antagonists: Diarrhea, abdominal pain, hypotension, fatigue, headache, lightheadedness, upper respiratory symptoms, cough.
- Hypertensive Emergency Drugs: Dizziness, weakness, nausea, vomiting, sodium and water retention, apprehensive feeling, headaches.
Drug Classes and Examples
- Beta Blockers: End in "olol" (e.g., Metoprolol, Atenolol, Propranolol)
- Calcium Channel Blockers: Examples include Diltiazem, Verapamil, Amlodipine
- Central Acting Anti-Adrenergics: Examples include Clonidine, Methyldopa
- Peripheral Acting Anti-Adrenergics: Examples include Guanabenz, Guanfacine
- Alpha Adrenergics: Examples include Prazosin, Terazosin, Doxazosin
- ACE Inhibitors: End in "pril" (e.g., Captopril, Enalapril, Lisinopril)
- Angiotensin II Receptor Antagonists: End in "sartan" (e.g., Losartan, Valsartan, Candesartan)
- Hypertensive Emergency Drugs: IV only, used in emergency rooms and CCUs (e.g., Nitroprusside, Nicardipine, Fenoldopam)
Administration and Monitoring
- Always check blood pressure before administering antihypertensives.
- Monitor for adverse effects and notify the doctor if necessary.
- Be aware of orthostatic hypotension and have the patient dangle their feet before getting out of bed.
- Do not stop taking antihypertensives abruptly.
- Teach patients to recognize the signs of heart failure (sudden weight gain, fluid retention, edema, shortness of breath).
- Encourage patients to follow up with a physician for regular blood pressure checks.
Important Considerations
- Aldomet (methyldopa) can turn urine brown.
- Regitine (phentolamine) is an alpha adrenergic blocker.
- Coreg (carvedilol) is a popular alpha-beta blocker.
- Many antihypertensives can cause sexual dysfunction and lack of energy.
- Over-the-counter preparations can interact with antihypertensives and increase blood pressure; check with a healthcare provider.
Antihypertensives
- Antihypertensives primarily target the renin-angiotensin system, a potent vasoconstrictor, to lower blood pressure.
- Vasoconstriction elevates blood pressure.
- Calcium channel blockers, beta blockers, and peripheral vasodilators diminish heart rate and/or blood pressure.
- Always monitor pulse and blood pressure when administering beta blockers and calcium channel blockers.
- All antihypertensives can cause hypotension.
- Antihypertensives find application in managing hypertension, hypertensive emergencies, and facilitating the diagnosis of pheochromocytoma.
Adverse Effects
- Peripheral Vasodilators: Common side effects include hypotension, dizziness, angina, headache, hirsutism, nasal congestion, fatigue, and sodium and water retention.
- Beta Blockers: Can cause bradycardia, hypotension, heart failure, dizziness, arrhythmias, decreased libido, impotence, constipation, and diarrhea.
- Central Acting Anti-Adrenergics: Can cause drowsiness, sedation, headache, dry mouth, hypotension, syncope, fluid retention, and constipation.
- Peripheral Acting Anti-Adrenergics: Can cause headache, fatigue, hypotension, lethargy, dyspepsia, and headache.
- Alpha Adrenergics: Can cause headache, fatigue, hypotension, sexual dysfunction, and lack of energy.
- ACE Inhibitors: Can cause cough, nausea, hypotension, headache, and fatigue.
- Angiotensin II Receptor Antagonists: Can cause diarrhea, abdominal pain, hypotension, fatigue, headache, lightheadedness, upper respiratory symptoms, and cough.
- Hypertensive Emergency Drugs: Can cause dizziness, weakness, nausea, vomiting, sodium and water retention, apprehensive feeling, and headaches.
Drug Classes and Examples
- Beta Blockers: Typically end in "olol" (e.g., Metoprolol, Atenolol, Propranolol).
- Calcium Channel Blockers: Examples include Diltiazem, Verapamil, and Amlodipine.
- Central Acting Anti-Adrenergics: Examples include Clonidine and Methyldopa.
- Peripheral Acting Anti-Adrenergics: Examples include Guanabenz and Guanfacine.
- Alpha Adrenergics: Examples include Prazosin, Terazosin, and Doxazosin.
- ACE Inhibitors: Typically end in "pril" (e.g., Captopril, Enalapril, Lisinopril).
- Angiotensin II Receptor Antagonists: Typically end in "sartan" (e.g., Losartan, Valsartan, Candesartan).
- Hypertensive Emergency Drugs: Administered intravenously (IV) only and used in emergency rooms and cardiac care units (CCUs) (e.g., Nitroprusside, Nicardipine, Fenoldopam).
Administration and Monitoring
- Always check blood pressure before administering antihypertensives.
- Monitor for adverse effects and inform the doctor if necessary.
- Be aware of orthostatic hypotension, advising patients to dangle their feet before getting out of bed.
- Do not stop taking antihypertensives abruptly.
- Educate patients to recognize signs of heart failure such as sudden weight gain, fluid retention, edema, and shortness of breath.
- Encourage patients to follow up with a physician for regular blood pressure checks.
Important Considerations
- Aldomet (methyldopa) can result in brown urine.
- Regitine (phentolamine) is an alpha adrenergic blocker.
- Coreg (carvedilol) is a popular alpha-beta blocker.
- Many antihypertensives can lead to sexual dysfunction and lack of energy.
- Over-the-counter preparations can interact with antihypertensives and increase blood pressure; consult with a healthcare provider.
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Description
This quiz covers the mechanisms and adverse effects of various antihypertensive medications. It focuses on the renin-angiotensin system, the differences between calcium channel blockers and beta blockers, and potential side effects. Test your knowledge on how these medications work to manage blood pressure effectively.
