NR 293 PHARM EXAM 2 REVIEW: NR 293
PHARMACOLOGY FOR NURSING PRACTICE,
2025/2026 WITH CORRECT/ACCURATE
ANSWERS
What drugs can be classified as Calcium channel blockers?
- Amlodipine
- Nifedipine
- Diltiazem >>> Dihydropyridines
Dihydropyridines primarily act on the smooth muscle of blood vessels,
causing them to relax and widen (vasodilation). They are most commonly
used to treat high blood pressure (hypertension) and angina.
Drugs in this class are easily identified by the suffix "-dipine".
Amlodipine (Norvasc)
Felodipine (Plendil)
Nifedipine (Procardia, Adalat)
Nicardipine (Cardene)
Nisoldipine (Sular)
Nimodipine (Nimotop)
What does Diltiazem/ Verapamil help treat that other Ca channel blockers
do not?
Cardiac dysrhythmias:
- Atrial fibrillation
- Atrial flutter
,- SVT >>> Diltiazem (Cardizem) and verapamil (Calan) are non-
dihydropyridine calcium channel blockers that are used to treat conditions
that other, dihydropyridine (DHP) calcium channel blockers typically do
not.
The main use that differentiates diltiazem and verapamil from DHP
blockers is the treatment of certain cardiac arrhythmias.
What does Ca blockers, like Amlodipine and Nifedipine, treat mainly treat?
- Hypertension
- Angina Pectoris (Chest pain) >>> Amlodipine (Norvasc) and nifedipine
(Procardia, Adalat) are dihydropyridine calcium channel blockers that
primarily treat hypertension (high blood pressure) and angina (chest
pain).
What are some complications to Nifedipine?
- Reflex Tachycardia
- Acute toxicity
- Orthostatic hypertension
- Peripheral edema
Who should not use Nifedipine?
- patients with Cardiogenic shock
The use of Nifedipine should be used cautiously with what type of cardiac
events?
- Acute MI
,- Unstable Angina
- Aortic Stenosis
What type of AV block should Nifedipine and Diltiazem be utilized
cautiously with?
- 2nd - degree AV block
- 3rd-degree AV block
What type of Hyper or hypo tension is contraindicated to Nifedipine?
- Hypotension is contraindicated to Nifedipine
If a patient is on Nifedipine and shows signs of Reflex Tachycardia, what
drug should be administered to decrease the reflex tachycardia?
- Metoprolol (aka Beta blockers) should be administered
What drugs can lead to toxicity and should be avoided with in patients
taking Nefidipine?
- Cimetidine
- Famotidine
- Grapefruit juice (duh)
What are some S/S of toxicity in patient taking nifedipine?
- Decrease BP
- Increase HR
- Flushing
, What is some teaching a nurse should teach a patient on Nifedipine?
- Observe for swelling in lower extremities, Notify HC provider if it does
- Monitor for postural hypotension (aka get up slowly)
What syndrome is linked to Nifedipine?
- SJS (Steven-Johnson-Syndrome
What other, besides the main treatments, can Ca channel blockers (CCB)
treat?
- Raynaud's disease
- Migraine HA
What impacts does Ca Channel blockers have on a patients gums?
- Can cause Gingival hyperplasia in gums
What Ca Channel blockers can increase the impact of Beta Blockers?
- Diltiazem can increase effect of beta blockers
- Verapamil can increase effect of beta blockers
What Ca Channel blocker causes constipation in patients?
- Verapamil causes constipation in patients
PHARMACOLOGY FOR NURSING PRACTICE,
2025/2026 WITH CORRECT/ACCURATE
ANSWERS
What drugs can be classified as Calcium channel blockers?
- Amlodipine
- Nifedipine
- Diltiazem >>> Dihydropyridines
Dihydropyridines primarily act on the smooth muscle of blood vessels,
causing them to relax and widen (vasodilation). They are most commonly
used to treat high blood pressure (hypertension) and angina.
Drugs in this class are easily identified by the suffix "-dipine".
Amlodipine (Norvasc)
Felodipine (Plendil)
Nifedipine (Procardia, Adalat)
Nicardipine (Cardene)
Nisoldipine (Sular)
Nimodipine (Nimotop)
What does Diltiazem/ Verapamil help treat that other Ca channel blockers
do not?
Cardiac dysrhythmias:
- Atrial fibrillation
- Atrial flutter
,- SVT >>> Diltiazem (Cardizem) and verapamil (Calan) are non-
dihydropyridine calcium channel blockers that are used to treat conditions
that other, dihydropyridine (DHP) calcium channel blockers typically do
not.
The main use that differentiates diltiazem and verapamil from DHP
blockers is the treatment of certain cardiac arrhythmias.
What does Ca blockers, like Amlodipine and Nifedipine, treat mainly treat?
- Hypertension
- Angina Pectoris (Chest pain) >>> Amlodipine (Norvasc) and nifedipine
(Procardia, Adalat) are dihydropyridine calcium channel blockers that
primarily treat hypertension (high blood pressure) and angina (chest
pain).
What are some complications to Nifedipine?
- Reflex Tachycardia
- Acute toxicity
- Orthostatic hypertension
- Peripheral edema
Who should not use Nifedipine?
- patients with Cardiogenic shock
The use of Nifedipine should be used cautiously with what type of cardiac
events?
- Acute MI
,- Unstable Angina
- Aortic Stenosis
What type of AV block should Nifedipine and Diltiazem be utilized
cautiously with?
- 2nd - degree AV block
- 3rd-degree AV block
What type of Hyper or hypo tension is contraindicated to Nifedipine?
- Hypotension is contraindicated to Nifedipine
If a patient is on Nifedipine and shows signs of Reflex Tachycardia, what
drug should be administered to decrease the reflex tachycardia?
- Metoprolol (aka Beta blockers) should be administered
What drugs can lead to toxicity and should be avoided with in patients
taking Nefidipine?
- Cimetidine
- Famotidine
- Grapefruit juice (duh)
What are some S/S of toxicity in patient taking nifedipine?
- Decrease BP
- Increase HR
- Flushing
, What is some teaching a nurse should teach a patient on Nifedipine?
- Observe for swelling in lower extremities, Notify HC provider if it does
- Monitor for postural hypotension (aka get up slowly)
What syndrome is linked to Nifedipine?
- SJS (Steven-Johnson-Syndrome
What other, besides the main treatments, can Ca channel blockers (CCB)
treat?
- Raynaud's disease
- Migraine HA
What impacts does Ca Channel blockers have on a patients gums?
- Can cause Gingival hyperplasia in gums
What Ca Channel blockers can increase the impact of Beta Blockers?
- Diltiazem can increase effect of beta blockers
- Verapamil can increase effect of beta blockers
What Ca Channel blocker causes constipation in patients?
- Verapamil causes constipation in patients
