PC707-Module 4-Cardiac
Exam
(2026 Expert-Verified Final
Exam Q & A )
Latest Updated Version
(A+ Guaranteed )
,What is BP? -Peripheral vascular resistance X Cardiac Output
What is Cardiac output? -Stroke volume X Heart rate
What is something important to screen for in the elderly in -screen for orthostatic hypotension
relation to blood pressure?
Blood pressure stages: -Normal <120/<80
-Elevated 120-129/80-89
-Stage 1 130-139/80-89
-Stage 2 >140/>90
When do we treat high blood pressure? Are medications -Depends on a variety of risk factors.
the only treatment option? -Initiate medications sooner if high cardiovascular risk
-Lifestyle modifications are extremely important to remember first* (DASH diet,
exercise, limiting alcohol, weight loss if appropriate, stress management)
What are the available drugs for treating HTN after lifestyle -Diuretics (Thiazides or Loops)
modifications? -ACE inhibitors
-ARBs
-Calcium channel blockers (CCBs)
-Aldosterone receptor antagonists (Potassium sparing diuretic)
-Alpha-1 Blockers/Antagonists
-Beta Adrenergic Blockers
-Vasodilators
How do thiazide diuretics work? -promotes sodium & water excretion by inhibiting sodium reabsorption
-potassium loss*
-weak diuretic effect
-mostly used as an "add on" drug
-used for HTN & volume overload
-Ex: Chlorthalidone is preferred in this class due to long half-life & proven to
decreased CVD risk*
--thiazides work very well in African Americans*
Side effects & contraindications for thiazides? S/E--> hyperglycemia (careful with DM), hyperuricemia (careful with gout),
hypertriglyceridemia & hypercholesteremia (monitor lipid levels), HYPOkalemia
(increased risk for cardiac arrhythmias), hyponatremia, erectile dysfunction
Contraindications-->sulfa allergies (contains sulfa), significant renal impairement
(anuria), and pre-existing hypokalemia*
What are potential benefit to women using thiazide -may help protect women against post-menopausal osteoporosis because it can be
diuretics other than intended use? calcium sparing*
How do ACE inhibitors work? -ACE is an enzyme needed to convert angiotensin 1 to angiotensin 2
-ACE inhibitors block this conversion
-Angiotensin 2 is a POTENT vasoconstrictor--so blocking this helps with
vasodilation
-Angiotensin 2 also stimulates the release of Aldosterone (which causes sodium &
water reabsorption and potassium loss)
-Blocking Aldosterone--causes sodium and water excretion and potassium
absorption*
What is bradykinin? What is its role in causing a particular -Bradykinin is an inflammatory mediator that causes vasodilation, cough, and
side effect in ACE inhibitors? potential angioedema
-ACE decreases bradykinin levels
-So when ACE is inhibited--bradykinin levels can RISE--therefore causing the
unwanted side effects of dry, hacky cough & the risk for angioedema
2026
, Side effects of ACE inhibitors? -dry hacky non productive NEW cough*
-HYPERkalemia*
-potential for kidney deterioration
-angioedema* (increased risk in women and African Americans)
-->monitor renal function, blood pressure, & potassium levels
Drug of choice for people with HTN & Diabetes mellitus? -ACE inhibitors
-ARBs as an alternative option*
Indications for ACE inhibitors? -HTN
-Post-MI
-Heart failure
Can those with chronic kidney disease take ACE -can be protective for mild chronic kidney disease
inhibitors? -start low and titrate doses SLOWLY
-monitor renal function tests
-monitor potassium levels
-However, if renal function starts to decline--stop & consult with nephrologist*
-Weak kidneys need angiotensin II to maintain vascular tone--if absent--can cause
complete kidney failure
Brief review of the RAAS system? -decreased blood pressure or blood volume--causes kidneys to release RENIN
-the liver releases angiotensinogen which combines with RENIN to create
angiotensin I (inactive)
-lungs release ACE enzyme which combines with angiotensin 1 to create
angiotensin II (potent vasodilator)
-angiotensin II acts on angiotensin receptors on kidneys, tissues, blood vessels--
vasoconstriction
-when kidneys are stimulated--release aldosterone--which causes sodium and
water reabsorption and potassium loss
-ALL OF THESE HELP INCREASE FLUID VOLUME & BLOOD PRESSURE--which
can be good unless you have cardiovascular problems
What are angiotensin receptor blockers (ARBs)? -blocks vasoconstriction & aldosterone secretion by blocking the binding of
angiotensin II to it's receptors found in kidneys, vessels, tissues
-used for HTN & Heart failure
-these do NOT increase bradykinin--so no cough--these are a good alternative for
those intolerant to ACEI side effects
Can a person take an ACE & ARB at the same time? NO--increases risk of adverse effects*
Side effects of ARBs? -hyperkalemia (not as much as ACEs)
-renal function deterioation
-angioedema--still a risk, especially if happened with ACEs—need a very good
reason to use ARB and pt education is vital*
-->monitor renal function, potassium levels, and blood pressure just like ACEIs
ACEs & ARBs are contraindicated for who? -pregnancy*
-bilateral renal stenosis--can cause Renal failure*
-patients with hyperkalemia
-angioedema—at least use very CAUTIOUSLY
Black box warning for ACEs & ARBs? -contraindicated in pregnancy (category X)
-teratogenic--risk of injury or death to the developing fetus
-fetal abnormalities
-women with inadequate contraception or planning pregnancy should not take
these*
2026
Exam
(2026 Expert-Verified Final
Exam Q & A )
Latest Updated Version
(A+ Guaranteed )
,What is BP? -Peripheral vascular resistance X Cardiac Output
What is Cardiac output? -Stroke volume X Heart rate
What is something important to screen for in the elderly in -screen for orthostatic hypotension
relation to blood pressure?
Blood pressure stages: -Normal <120/<80
-Elevated 120-129/80-89
-Stage 1 130-139/80-89
-Stage 2 >140/>90
When do we treat high blood pressure? Are medications -Depends on a variety of risk factors.
the only treatment option? -Initiate medications sooner if high cardiovascular risk
-Lifestyle modifications are extremely important to remember first* (DASH diet,
exercise, limiting alcohol, weight loss if appropriate, stress management)
What are the available drugs for treating HTN after lifestyle -Diuretics (Thiazides or Loops)
modifications? -ACE inhibitors
-ARBs
-Calcium channel blockers (CCBs)
-Aldosterone receptor antagonists (Potassium sparing diuretic)
-Alpha-1 Blockers/Antagonists
-Beta Adrenergic Blockers
-Vasodilators
How do thiazide diuretics work? -promotes sodium & water excretion by inhibiting sodium reabsorption
-potassium loss*
-weak diuretic effect
-mostly used as an "add on" drug
-used for HTN & volume overload
-Ex: Chlorthalidone is preferred in this class due to long half-life & proven to
decreased CVD risk*
--thiazides work very well in African Americans*
Side effects & contraindications for thiazides? S/E--> hyperglycemia (careful with DM), hyperuricemia (careful with gout),
hypertriglyceridemia & hypercholesteremia (monitor lipid levels), HYPOkalemia
(increased risk for cardiac arrhythmias), hyponatremia, erectile dysfunction
Contraindications-->sulfa allergies (contains sulfa), significant renal impairement
(anuria), and pre-existing hypokalemia*
What are potential benefit to women using thiazide -may help protect women against post-menopausal osteoporosis because it can be
diuretics other than intended use? calcium sparing*
How do ACE inhibitors work? -ACE is an enzyme needed to convert angiotensin 1 to angiotensin 2
-ACE inhibitors block this conversion
-Angiotensin 2 is a POTENT vasoconstrictor--so blocking this helps with
vasodilation
-Angiotensin 2 also stimulates the release of Aldosterone (which causes sodium &
water reabsorption and potassium loss)
-Blocking Aldosterone--causes sodium and water excretion and potassium
absorption*
What is bradykinin? What is its role in causing a particular -Bradykinin is an inflammatory mediator that causes vasodilation, cough, and
side effect in ACE inhibitors? potential angioedema
-ACE decreases bradykinin levels
-So when ACE is inhibited--bradykinin levels can RISE--therefore causing the
unwanted side effects of dry, hacky cough & the risk for angioedema
2026
, Side effects of ACE inhibitors? -dry hacky non productive NEW cough*
-HYPERkalemia*
-potential for kidney deterioration
-angioedema* (increased risk in women and African Americans)
-->monitor renal function, blood pressure, & potassium levels
Drug of choice for people with HTN & Diabetes mellitus? -ACE inhibitors
-ARBs as an alternative option*
Indications for ACE inhibitors? -HTN
-Post-MI
-Heart failure
Can those with chronic kidney disease take ACE -can be protective for mild chronic kidney disease
inhibitors? -start low and titrate doses SLOWLY
-monitor renal function tests
-monitor potassium levels
-However, if renal function starts to decline--stop & consult with nephrologist*
-Weak kidneys need angiotensin II to maintain vascular tone--if absent--can cause
complete kidney failure
Brief review of the RAAS system? -decreased blood pressure or blood volume--causes kidneys to release RENIN
-the liver releases angiotensinogen which combines with RENIN to create
angiotensin I (inactive)
-lungs release ACE enzyme which combines with angiotensin 1 to create
angiotensin II (potent vasodilator)
-angiotensin II acts on angiotensin receptors on kidneys, tissues, blood vessels--
vasoconstriction
-when kidneys are stimulated--release aldosterone--which causes sodium and
water reabsorption and potassium loss
-ALL OF THESE HELP INCREASE FLUID VOLUME & BLOOD PRESSURE--which
can be good unless you have cardiovascular problems
What are angiotensin receptor blockers (ARBs)? -blocks vasoconstriction & aldosterone secretion by blocking the binding of
angiotensin II to it's receptors found in kidneys, vessels, tissues
-used for HTN & Heart failure
-these do NOT increase bradykinin--so no cough--these are a good alternative for
those intolerant to ACEI side effects
Can a person take an ACE & ARB at the same time? NO--increases risk of adverse effects*
Side effects of ARBs? -hyperkalemia (not as much as ACEs)
-renal function deterioation
-angioedema--still a risk, especially if happened with ACEs—need a very good
reason to use ARB and pt education is vital*
-->monitor renal function, potassium levels, and blood pressure just like ACEIs
ACEs & ARBs are contraindicated for who? -pregnancy*
-bilateral renal stenosis--can cause Renal failure*
-patients with hyperkalemia
-angioedema—at least use very CAUTIOUSLY
Black box warning for ACEs & ARBs? -contraindicated in pregnancy (category X)
-teratogenic--risk of injury or death to the developing fetus
-fetal abnormalities
-women with inadequate contraception or planning pregnancy should not take
these*
2026
