NSG 345 PHARMACOLOGY EXAM 2 ALL
WITH QUESTIONS AND VERIFIED
ANSWERS
What are medications used to treat heart failure?
Cardiac glycosides, Digoxin, Phosphodiesterase Inhibitors
What do Inotropic agents do?
Increase contractility and stroke volume
What do Chronotropic agents do?
Decrease heart rate
What do Dromotropic agents do?
Decreases conduction of heart cells
What is a therapeutic serum level for Digoxin?
0.8-2.0 mg/mL
Common side effects of digoxin?
Anorexia, NV, Diarrhea, Abdominal pain, headache, blurred vision, dizziness,
weakness, confusion, visual impairment
Biggest concern for digoxin?
Digoxin toxicity
Electrolyte considerations for digoxin?
Hypokalemia
,What is hypokalemia a concern for digoxin?
Low serum potassium level, increases the effect of digoxin at its myocardial cell
site of action, resulting in digoxin toxcicity
What other potent diuretics promote the loss of potassium from the body?
Furosemide and Hydrochlorothiazide
What steroid promotes sodium retention and potassium excretion?
Cortisone
Patient teaching for digoxin?
Patients who take digoxin along with potassium wasting or cortisone should
consume foods rich in potassium
What medication can decrease digoxin absorption?
Antacids
What are the signs and symptoms of digoxin toxicity?
Diarrhea, NV, Bradycardia, White, green or yellow halos around objects, delirium
What is the antidote for digoxin toxicity?
Digoxin immune Fab (Digibind)
Nursing considerations before administering digoxin?
1. Ascertain apical pulse rate, do not administer if pulse rate is below 60 beats per
minute
2. Determine signs of peripheral and pulmonary edema (HF is present)
3. Monitor serum digoxin levels 0.8 to 2.0
4. Monitor K+ levels
5. Baseline vitals
What are phosphodiesterase inhibitors?
,Positive inotropic group of drugs given to treat acute HF
IV administration for phosphodiesterase inhibitors?
Administered IV for no longer than 48 to 72 hours (closely monitor their ECG)
Where is nitroglycerin absorbed?
Absorbed under the tongue or transdermal patches
What is nitroglycerin used for?
to relieve angina pain
What is the mechanism of action for nitroglycerin?
Decreases myocardial demand for oxygen; decreases preload by dilating veins,
indirectly decreasing afterload
What are the common side effects of nitroglycerin?
headache, orthostatic hypotension, dizziness, peripheral edema
Patient education for nitroglycerin?
Sublingual tablet should not be chewed, crushed or swallowed. Do not eat, drink,
smoke, or use chewing tobacco while the tab is dissolving
Drug administration for nitroglycerin?
1. Sublingual is the fastest method of administration 1 to 3 minutes
2. Transdermal is the slowest at 40 to 60 minutes
Nursing considerations for nitroglycerin?
When nitroglycerin ointment and transdermal patches are being discontinued, they
should be tapered over several weeks to prevent the rebound effect of severe pain
caused by myocardial ischemia (lack of blood supply to the heart muscle)
What are beta blockers used for?
Decrease the heart rate and blood pressure
What are Beta-blockers used for as drugs?
, Antianginal, antidysrhythmic, and antihypertensive
What are the commonly seen drugs of beta blockers?
THINK LOL
Metoprolol
Atenolol
Carvedilol
Propranolol
Patient education for beta blockers?
1. Do not stop abruptly
2. The patient should be tapered over a specified number of days to avoid reflex
tachycardia and recurrence of anginal pain
Common side effects of beta blockers?
Decrease in heart rate and blood pressure
Common side effects of non-selective beta blockers?
Bronchospasm, agitation, dizziness, drowsiness, confusion, ED
Beta-blockers and interactions with other medications?
1. Increases diuretics
2. Prolongs hypoglycemic effects of insulin and antidiabetics
3. Blocks the effects of albuterol
IV administration considerations with beta-blockers?
Monitor the patient's vital signs, blood pressure, heart rate, and respiratory rate
What are calcium channel blockers?
Calms the heart; used for angina, certain dysrhythmias, HTN
Commonly seen medications of calcium channel blockers?