Cardio drugs

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I would appreciate any help and or advice about learning the cardio drugs ASAP: atropine, pril sisters, atenolol etc... We have just started the heart and of course this is going to be a major test with 150 questions AKA-MUST PASS!

Thanks a bunch!

tas

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The easiest way to learn your cardiac drugs is to learn the classifications and what they do...

There are 3 terms that will help you figure out what the drugs do:

Inotropic=force of the cardiac contraction

Chronotropic= cardiac rate

Dromotropic= Cardiac conduction

OK, drugs can either increase or decrease these three things. so it is easiest to remember them.

Beta-Blockers, alot of them end in -olol for example metoprolol (lopressor), propranolol (Inderal), ect.. The are negative inotropic, negative chronotropic and negative dromotropic...SO...they decrease the force of contraction, the rate, and the conduction

Calcium Channel Blockers, alot of these end in -ine for example: nimpdipine(Nimotop), Bepridil (Vascor) they are also negative negative negative, so they do the same things that beta blockers do. used for angina, antidysrhythmias hypertension.

Cardiac Glycosides,Digoxin, digitoxin, they are positive inotropic, negative chronotropic, and negative dromotropic.Used for CHF, dysrhymias

Ace Inhibitors, end in -pril, captopril, lisinopril etc. they are block angiotension I from becoming angiotensin II, angiotensin II is a very potent vasoconstrictor,so if it is blocking it then it is going to dialate, lowering the BP. They are also Negative, negative, negative.

Those are the major ones that I know..i don't know if it will help you or not, but it made more sense to me and it helped me understand what they do a little better!! Good Luck!;)

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Specializes in Nurse Leader specializing in Labor & Delivery.

Or even a more simpler breakdown:

Adrenergic (agonists and antagonists)

Cholinergic (agonists and antagonists)

If you can remember those two classifications and what they do, you're pretty good to go.

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I appreciate your time. I am confused about the calcium channel blockers ending in -ine because bepridl doesn't. We haven't even discussed inotropic, chronotropic, or dromotropic. I know the first two are in our book but I've yet to see the third one. Can you see how lost I feel? Can you feel my pain? :eek:

Any more tips would be appreciated.

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I got this from another forum. It has some cardiac drugs on it but the whole thing is very useful.

what my instructor gave us is:

1. ca channel blockers:

A ction - block ca access to cells

H ypotension, headache

E dema

C onstipation

K now to watch for worsening of CHF and heart block

2. blockers s/e

B radycardia

L ibido decrease

brOnchospasm

C HF, conduction abnormalities

K nown hypotension

E xhaustion, emotional depression

R educed recognision of hypoglycemia

3. alpha 1 and 2 blockers: doxazosin, prazosin, terazosin;

A ction - block alpha adrenergic receptors in ANS causing vasodilation, lower

BP

S yncope,sexual dysfunction common

I ncreased drowsiness, HR, orthostatic hypotension

N eed to recline 3-4 hours after 1st dose

others:

4. diuretic

D iet - low sodium, increse potassium intake, unless taking potassium sparing

I ntake & output, daily weight

U ndesirable effects - fluid and electrolytes imbalance, dizziness, hypotension

R eassess BP, HR, electrolytes

E lderly care - monitor for decreased kidney function (excretion of drugs)

T ake AM, if bid before 6pm, prevent nocturia

I ncreased orthostatic hypotension

C ancel alcohol use

5. ACE inhibitors (enarapril, lisinopril)

A ct - prevent conversion of angiotensin I to II

P ruritus

R ash

I ncreased hypotension. tachycardia, angioedema, cough, infection

L ousy taste, headache

6. ARB (losartan, valsartan)

A ct - prevent angiotensin II to bind to its receptors

A dminister with or without food (watch GI upset)

R enal function monitor!!! (elderly!!!)

B lock vasoconstriction (lower BP)

S ubstitutes of sodium and potassium DO NOT USE

7.Loop diuretics

A ct - rapid diuresis, block chloride pump in ascending loop of henle, causing decrease reabsorption of sodium and chloride,

L oss effectivness if given with NSAIDs

I ncreae action of anticoagulant

H ypokalemia - monitor closely

O totoxicity

H yperglycemia - moniotr blood glucose

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Also,

If you can get a copy of Memory Notebook of Nursing Volume 2. It has a really cute picture/mnemonic for cardiac drugs.

I love ebay and the CD with Volume 1&2 are here on ebay. I bought the book for Volume 1 and loved it. I bought volume 2 off ebay. I took the CD to staples and had them print each page and made my own book for $10.

http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&category=2228&item=6951929422&rd=1&ssPageName=WDVW

Great book! If you email me privately, I will send you the ones for cardiac so you can get a feel of how this book is.

Tiffany

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