NUR 378 EXAM 1 PHARMACOLOGY
COMPREHENSIVE REVIEW 2026
◉ Explain the significance of vasodilator selectivity in terms of the
effects on Preload. Answer: Preload: The degree of stretching the
ventricular muscles does before contraction.
Drugs that dilate veins lower the force of blood that returns to the
heart, which lowers ventricular filling, lowering the preload and
force of ventricular contraction, cardiac work, cardiac output, and
tissue perfusion
◉ What are the principal therapeutic indications of vasodilators?
Answer: - Treats Essential HTN
- Hypersensitive crisis
- Angina Pectoris
- Heart failure
- myocardial Infarction
◉ What are the adverse effects common to most vasodilators?
Answer: - Postural hypotension due to relaxation of the smooth
muscles in veins
,- Reflex Tachycardia due to dilation of arterioles or veins
- Expansion of Blood Volume
◉ List:
The sites of action of antihypertensive drugs
The classes of drugs acting at those sites Answer: Brainstem - alpha-
2-agonist (clonidine)
Sympathetic Ganglia - adrenergic neuron blockers (reserpine)
Cardiac beta receptors - beta blockers (metoprolol)
Vascular alpha1 receptors - alpha1 blocker (prazosin)
Vascular smooth muscle - direct acting vasodilator
Renal Tubules - thiazide and related diuretics (hydrochlorothiazide)
Beta1receptors on juxtaglomerular cells - beta blocker (metoprolol)
Renin - angiogenin II receptor blocker (aliskiren)
,Angiotensin converting Enzyme - ACE inhibitor (captopril)
Angiotensin II receptors - angiotensin II receptor blockers
(Losartan)
Aldosterone Receptors - aldosterone antagonists (eplerenone)
◉ What is a compelling indication of antihypertensive drugs?
Answer: Comorbid condition for which a specific class of
antihypertensive drugs that have shown to improve outcomes
◉ How do compelling indications affect the choice of drug for
control of hypertension? Answer: Patients with hypertension and
compelling indications use specific antihypertensive drugs to reduce
morbidity and mortality during initial therapy
◉ What are the benefits of multidrug therapy for the treatment of
hypertension? Answer: 1. increases the chances of success by being
able to target multiple sites at once
2. Can be administered at lower dosages, decreasing the frequency
and intensity of side effects
, 3. One drug can offset the adverse effects of the other
◉ What are actions that nurses can take to improve diagnosis and
treatment of hypertension in special populations? Answer: African
Americans:
- Routine monitoring of BP
- Early detection
- Lifestyle modifications
Children and Adolescents:
- Adjust dosages
- Detect early through screening
Older Adults:
- Monitor BP
- Early testing
- Look for isolated systolic hypertension
◉ What actions can nurses take to minimize adverse effects in the
treatment of hypertension? Answer: - Tailor drug therapy to fit the
needs of the patient
- If one drug causes adverse effect --> sub it out
- Enough patients to report signs and symptoms
COMPREHENSIVE REVIEW 2026
◉ Explain the significance of vasodilator selectivity in terms of the
effects on Preload. Answer: Preload: The degree of stretching the
ventricular muscles does before contraction.
Drugs that dilate veins lower the force of blood that returns to the
heart, which lowers ventricular filling, lowering the preload and
force of ventricular contraction, cardiac work, cardiac output, and
tissue perfusion
◉ What are the principal therapeutic indications of vasodilators?
Answer: - Treats Essential HTN
- Hypersensitive crisis
- Angina Pectoris
- Heart failure
- myocardial Infarction
◉ What are the adverse effects common to most vasodilators?
Answer: - Postural hypotension due to relaxation of the smooth
muscles in veins
,- Reflex Tachycardia due to dilation of arterioles or veins
- Expansion of Blood Volume
◉ List:
The sites of action of antihypertensive drugs
The classes of drugs acting at those sites Answer: Brainstem - alpha-
2-agonist (clonidine)
Sympathetic Ganglia - adrenergic neuron blockers (reserpine)
Cardiac beta receptors - beta blockers (metoprolol)
Vascular alpha1 receptors - alpha1 blocker (prazosin)
Vascular smooth muscle - direct acting vasodilator
Renal Tubules - thiazide and related diuretics (hydrochlorothiazide)
Beta1receptors on juxtaglomerular cells - beta blocker (metoprolol)
Renin - angiogenin II receptor blocker (aliskiren)
,Angiotensin converting Enzyme - ACE inhibitor (captopril)
Angiotensin II receptors - angiotensin II receptor blockers
(Losartan)
Aldosterone Receptors - aldosterone antagonists (eplerenone)
◉ What is a compelling indication of antihypertensive drugs?
Answer: Comorbid condition for which a specific class of
antihypertensive drugs that have shown to improve outcomes
◉ How do compelling indications affect the choice of drug for
control of hypertension? Answer: Patients with hypertension and
compelling indications use specific antihypertensive drugs to reduce
morbidity and mortality during initial therapy
◉ What are the benefits of multidrug therapy for the treatment of
hypertension? Answer: 1. increases the chances of success by being
able to target multiple sites at once
2. Can be administered at lower dosages, decreasing the frequency
and intensity of side effects
, 3. One drug can offset the adverse effects of the other
◉ What are actions that nurses can take to improve diagnosis and
treatment of hypertension in special populations? Answer: African
Americans:
- Routine monitoring of BP
- Early detection
- Lifestyle modifications
Children and Adolescents:
- Adjust dosages
- Detect early through screening
Older Adults:
- Monitor BP
- Early testing
- Look for isolated systolic hypertension
◉ What actions can nurses take to minimize adverse effects in the
treatment of hypertension? Answer: - Tailor drug therapy to fit the
needs of the patient
- If one drug causes adverse effect --> sub it out
- Enough patients to report signs and symptoms
