THE ABCS OF BLOCKERS -- THE ANTIHYPERTENSIVE AGENTS

Course overview

This program will help nurses increase their knowledge of four types of medications used to treat hypertension and improve cardiovascular and cerebrovascular health and to improve their understanding of nursing implications associated with these medications. After you study the information presented, you will be able to: Identify three elements of optimal cardiovascular and cerebrovascular health, Explain how angiotension-converting enzyme (ACE) inhibitor therapy works to lower blood pressure, List three systemic responses that occur with ACE inhibitors, Identify the most common adverse effects of ACE inhibitors, Explain how angiotensin II receptor blockers work to lower blood pressure, List three effects of bradykinin, Describe the medication therapies using fixed-dose preparations that combine drugs to manage hypertension and patient outcomes, Differentiate between the actions of beta 1 and beta 2 blockers, List three clinical indications for the use of beta-blockers, Explain the use of different beta-blockers based on patient need and characteristics, Identify the three subclasses of calcium channel blockers, Discuss the primary mechanism of action for each subclass of calcium channel blockers, List three clinical indications for the use of calcium channel blockers, Describe at least three nursing implications for each -- ACE inhibitors, beta-blockers, and calcium channel blockers, Identify at least three points for patient and family education for each type of drug presented.