N 2 1 1 E x a m 2 S tu d y G u i d e _ C a rd i a c M e d i c a t i o n s & P h a r m a c o l o g y
Insights | Questions and Answers | Latest Update
Statins and Lipid-Lowering Medications
Mechanism of action of statins and why some must be taken in the evening.
Dietary considerations related to statins (e.g., grapefruit interactions).
Expected therapeutic effects, such as LDL reduction.
Key adverse effects to monitor for, including myopathy and liver injury.
Lab values that require monitoring during statin therapy (e.g., liver function).
Relationship between dyslipidemia, triglycerides, and dietary patterns (omega-3 intake,
avoiding trans fats).
Lifestyle modifications that most effectively improve lipid profiles (smoking cessation,
exercise, dietary changes).
Teaching related to statin-induced muscle symptoms and when to notify the provider.
ARB and ACE Inhibitor Pharmacology
Expected therapeutic effects of ARBs (blood pressure reduction, renal protection in
diabetes).
Common adverse effects of ACE inhibitors (cough, hyperkalemia, angioedema).
Management strategies for ACE-induced cough and angioedema, including when
switching medications is appropriate.
Importance of monitoring electrolytes, particularly potassium.
Contraindications for ACE inhibitors and ARBs during pregnancy.
Hemodynamic effects related to preload and afterload and how ACE inhibitors lower
afterload in heart failure.
Beta Blockers
Mechanism of action and expected therapeutic effects in hypertension and angina.
Key adverse effects, especially bradycardia.
Situations that require withholding beta blockers (low heart rate, worsening heart failure
symptoms).
Effects of beta blockers on diabetes and how they may mask hypoglycemia symptoms.
Safety concerns with concurrent medications (e.g., erectile dysfunction medications and
hypotension risk with nitrates vs. beta blockers).
Nursing monitoring and patient education related to blood pressure, pulse, and symptom
changes.
, Calcium Channel Blockers
Mechanism of action for treating hypertension and angina.
Common adverse effects such as peripheral edema and how to manage them.
Expected hemodynamic changes related to vasodilation.
Reasons for using these medications when beta blockers or nitrates are inadequate.
Nitrates
Mechanism of action in angina relief through preload reduction and coronary dilation.
Expected adverse effects such as headaches and hypotension.
Teaching about nitrate-induced headaches and safe management strategies.
Importance of nitrate-free intervals to prevent tolerance.
Appropriate storage instructions, shelf life, and potency considerations for sublingual
tablets.
Diuretics
Differences in mechanism among loop, thiazide, and potassium-sparing diuretics.
Electrolyte disturbances associated with each type (e.g., hypokalemia in loops/thiazides
vs. hyperkalemia with spironolactone).
Reasons spironolactone is considered potassium-sparing and its slower onset.
Typical uses in hypertension, heart failure, and edema.
Symptoms of electrolyte imbalances such as muscle cramps from hypokalemia.
Safety teaching regarding timing (e.g., morning administration to prevent nocturia).
Heart Failure Pharmacology and
Assessments
First-line medications for chronic heart failure (ACE inhibitors, ARBs, beta blockers,
diuretics).
Importance of vasodilation through medications that reduce afterload to improve cardiac
output.
Key assessments that determine fluid status (daily weights, lung sounds, intake/output).
Expected adverse effects of loop diuretics relevant to heart failure management.
Insights | Questions and Answers | Latest Update
Statins and Lipid-Lowering Medications
Mechanism of action of statins and why some must be taken in the evening.
Dietary considerations related to statins (e.g., grapefruit interactions).
Expected therapeutic effects, such as LDL reduction.
Key adverse effects to monitor for, including myopathy and liver injury.
Lab values that require monitoring during statin therapy (e.g., liver function).
Relationship between dyslipidemia, triglycerides, and dietary patterns (omega-3 intake,
avoiding trans fats).
Lifestyle modifications that most effectively improve lipid profiles (smoking cessation,
exercise, dietary changes).
Teaching related to statin-induced muscle symptoms and when to notify the provider.
ARB and ACE Inhibitor Pharmacology
Expected therapeutic effects of ARBs (blood pressure reduction, renal protection in
diabetes).
Common adverse effects of ACE inhibitors (cough, hyperkalemia, angioedema).
Management strategies for ACE-induced cough and angioedema, including when
switching medications is appropriate.
Importance of monitoring electrolytes, particularly potassium.
Contraindications for ACE inhibitors and ARBs during pregnancy.
Hemodynamic effects related to preload and afterload and how ACE inhibitors lower
afterload in heart failure.
Beta Blockers
Mechanism of action and expected therapeutic effects in hypertension and angina.
Key adverse effects, especially bradycardia.
Situations that require withholding beta blockers (low heart rate, worsening heart failure
symptoms).
Effects of beta blockers on diabetes and how they may mask hypoglycemia symptoms.
Safety concerns with concurrent medications (e.g., erectile dysfunction medications and
hypotension risk with nitrates vs. beta blockers).
Nursing monitoring and patient education related to blood pressure, pulse, and symptom
changes.
, Calcium Channel Blockers
Mechanism of action for treating hypertension and angina.
Common adverse effects such as peripheral edema and how to manage them.
Expected hemodynamic changes related to vasodilation.
Reasons for using these medications when beta blockers or nitrates are inadequate.
Nitrates
Mechanism of action in angina relief through preload reduction and coronary dilation.
Expected adverse effects such as headaches and hypotension.
Teaching about nitrate-induced headaches and safe management strategies.
Importance of nitrate-free intervals to prevent tolerance.
Appropriate storage instructions, shelf life, and potency considerations for sublingual
tablets.
Diuretics
Differences in mechanism among loop, thiazide, and potassium-sparing diuretics.
Electrolyte disturbances associated with each type (e.g., hypokalemia in loops/thiazides
vs. hyperkalemia with spironolactone).
Reasons spironolactone is considered potassium-sparing and its slower onset.
Typical uses in hypertension, heart failure, and edema.
Symptoms of electrolyte imbalances such as muscle cramps from hypokalemia.
Safety teaching regarding timing (e.g., morning administration to prevent nocturia).
Heart Failure Pharmacology and
Assessments
First-line medications for chronic heart failure (ACE inhibitors, ARBs, beta blockers,
diuretics).
Importance of vasodilation through medications that reduce afterload to improve cardiac
output.
Key assessments that determine fluid status (daily weights, lung sounds, intake/output).
Expected adverse effects of loop diuretics relevant to heart failure management.
