NUR 140 Cardiac Review Rated A+ 2025

1. Describe the actions and important nursing actions for the medications below: Thiazide Diuretics To treat high blood pressure and reduce fluid retention, by reducing the ability of kidneys to reabsorb salt & water from urine & by increasing production & output of urine • Should not be used in people with renal impairment • Pts with diabetes may have increased blood sugar Nurses should be checking HR & BP & Potassium levels because of all the potassium being wasted/spared “-lols” Beta Blockers- helps lower HR & BP Usually second method of treatment is other medications like diuretics don’t work to lower heart rate and blood pressure Nurses should monitor heart and BP before and after giving this med bc it can cause bradycardia and hypotension, they should also monitor cholesterol and triglyceride levels. They should also provide pt teaching like not abruptly stop taking the medication. “-Prils” ACE inhibitors- used to treat high BP, CKD, CAD, HF Angiotensin converting enzyme inhibitors block the production of Angiotensin 2 which is what narrows blood vessels and releases hormones like aldosterone and norepinephrine, all which increases BP and urine production in the kidneys. Nursing interventions should include monitoring for side effects (they don’t typically cause side effects) like angioedema, assess if they’re pregnant ARB’s- dilates blood vessels and lowers blood pressure Angiotensin II receptor blockers (ARBs) blocks the action if angiotension II by preventing angiotensin II from binding to its receptors on the muscles surrounding blood vessels. Nurses should monitor BP for hypotension and hyperkalemia Calcium Channel Blockers- treat/improve symptoms of CAD, chest pain, irregular heartbeat high BP by preventing calcium from entering cells of the heart and arteries Some lower heart rate=> lowers blood pressure *may work better for African Americans Teach pt to avoid grapefruit/grapefruit juice while taking this medication Loop Diuretics- used to treat edema related to HF, KD, Liver disease, HTN increases urine flow that works by increasing the loss of Na+, K+, Chloride drawing water too (water follows salt) 2. Describe the treatment of new onset Atrial Fibrillation. What happens if the atrial fibrillation will not convert? Describe the treatment if the patient is stable verses unstable. If a patient were to walk in with possible a. fib the nurse would perform a 12 lead EKG, and if there are no signs of a P-wave, antiarrhythmics such as digoxin possibly a heparin drip. If this is not successful, start to prepare them for possible cardioversion or cardiac ablation. For the patient to be stable is for their vital signs to be within normal range and there are no immediate problems that require interventions such as hypoxia or chest pain. 3. What factors can cause sinus bradycardia? What are the treatments? It could be hypoxia, hypothermia, genetic, electrolyte imbalance *K+&Ca+, aging, damage to heart tissues (*heart disease,attack,surgery), congenital heart defect, heart medications Tx: 1. atropine -adjust meds -pacemaker 4. What factors cause sinus tachycardia? What are the treatments?