Briefly describe the therapeutic actions of drugs affecting blood pressure

3. The nurse is updating the plan of care of nursing home patients with hypertension.

a. Briefly describe the therapeutic actions of drugs affecting blood pressure (diuretics, ACE inhibitors, ARBs, CCB, sympathetic nervous system drugs).

b. What important teaching points should be addressed for patients receiving antihypertensive drugs?

Discussion Topics, Chapter 44, Cardiotonic Agents

Discussion Topics

Learning Objective(s)

1. The nurse is caring for Mr. Adrian, an 82-year-old man with CHF who has a past medical history of diabetes and renal insufficiency. He is prescribed digoxin (Lanoxin) 0.125 mg IV and then 0.125 mg PO daily.

a. What are the therapeutic effects of cardiac glycosides?

b. Is this patient at risk for digoxin toxicity? Explain.

c. What are the adverse effects of digoxin?

d. Discuss the nursing considerations for digoxin administration.