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Advance Pharmacology: Group B Discussion Board 1
Marc Junchaya
William Paterson University
NUR 6011-805 - The Role of the Advanced Practice Nurse
Professor Colin Eckert
March 25, 2026
Question 1
, As primary care providers, we must always keep careful consideration regarding how the
medications we prescribe to our patients can interact with their co-morbidities or current drug
regimen. Patients with congestive heart failure (CHF) must be particularly cautious, as certain
drugs can worsen or exacerbate the disease. One such class of medications is non-steroidal anti-
inflammatory drugs or NSAIDS, such as celecoxib. The mechanism of action of NSAIDs is
through non-selectively inhibiting both COX-1 and COX-2 inhibitors as a consequence, this
leads to the disruption of renal autoregulation. This leads to exacerbation in CHF patients, as this
worsens the volume status of the patient due to sodium and water retention, blunting the efficacy
of diuretics and renin-angiotensin system inhibitors, and increasing vascular resistance (Abdin et
al., 2025). Another class of medications that can worsen CHF is calcium channel blockers,
including medications such as diltiazem. Through their mechanism of action, these drugs reduce
calcium influx through L-type calcium channels, which leads to bradycardia, diminished
atrioventricular conduction, and reduced myocardial contractility (Abdin et al., 2025). These
medications have negative inotropic effects, which worsen already struggling cardiac functions.
Special consideration must be made when selecting medications for CHF patients, as
medications such as NSADS and calcium channel blockers may worsen the patient’s condition.
Certain medications for diabetes should be avoided in patients with CHF. One class of
antidiabetic medications to be avoided is Thiazolidinediones, which includes medications such as
rosiglitazone. Several studies demonstrated that the use of this drug increases the risk for the
development of peripheral edema and CHF. This is done through rosiglitazone’s mechanism of
action, as it is a highly selective agonist for PPARy receptors, which, while improving glycemic
control, leads to adverse cardiac outcomes. Activation of the PPARy receptors increases the
reabsorption of sodium in the collecting tubules of the kidneys, leading to fluid retention and
cardiac overload (Abdin et al., 2025). Another antidiabetic agent that should be avoided are