Pharmacology Drug Classifications Nursing
questions and answers 25/2026
Antihypertensive (ACE inhibitors) - Answer -pril
Example: enalapril (Vasotec)
antihypertensive
Causes vasodilation & lowers BP
INDICATIONS
Hypertension, heart failure
ADVERSE EFFECTS
HA, dizziness, fatigue, nervousness, paresthesias, asthenia, insmonia
HYPOTENSION, syncope, palpitations, chest pain
Diarrhea, nausea, abd pain, loss of taste
Decrease Hgb, Hct
Acute kidney failure
Puritis, angioedema, erythema, hyperkalemia
Antilipidemic - Answer -statin
Example: atorvastatin (Lipitor)
Reduces LDL and total triglyceride production as well as increase plasma level of HDL
INDICATIONS
Hypercholesterolemia, Types IIa and IIb hyperlipidemia
, ADVERSE EFFECTS
Back pain, myalgia, headache, constipation, diarrhea, sinusitis, rash
Beta Blockers - Answer -lol
Example: atenolol (Tenormin)
Blocks beta 1 adrenergic receptors located in cardiac muscle. Reduces rate/force of cardiac contraction,
cardiac output is reduced, lowers BP, decreases peripheral vascualar resistence
INDICATIONS
Exertional angina, myocardian infarction, hypertension, cardiac dysrhythmias, essential tremor(nervous
system disorder that causes rhythmic shaking)
ADVERSE EFFECTS
dizziness, vertigo, fatigue, weakness, lethargy, drowsiness, insomnia, depression, bradycardia,
hypotension, CHF, cold extremeties, leg pains, NV, diarrhea, pulmonary edema, dyspnea
Calcium Channel Blockers - Answer -pine
Examples: amlodipine (Norvasc), diltiazem (Cardizem), verpamil (Isoptin)
Blocks calcium ion reflux across cell membranes of cardiac and vascular smooth muscle. Acts on
peripheral circulation, decreasing peripheral resistance and increases cardiac output.
INDICATIONS
Angina, hypertension, supraventricular tachycardia, coronary artery spasms
ADVERSE EFFECTS
bradycardia, peripheral/facial edema, hypotension, light-headedness, fatigue, HA, NV, constipation,
sexual dysfunction, cramps
questions and answers 25/2026
Antihypertensive (ACE inhibitors) - Answer -pril
Example: enalapril (Vasotec)
antihypertensive
Causes vasodilation & lowers BP
INDICATIONS
Hypertension, heart failure
ADVERSE EFFECTS
HA, dizziness, fatigue, nervousness, paresthesias, asthenia, insmonia
HYPOTENSION, syncope, palpitations, chest pain
Diarrhea, nausea, abd pain, loss of taste
Decrease Hgb, Hct
Acute kidney failure
Puritis, angioedema, erythema, hyperkalemia
Antilipidemic - Answer -statin
Example: atorvastatin (Lipitor)
Reduces LDL and total triglyceride production as well as increase plasma level of HDL
INDICATIONS
Hypercholesterolemia, Types IIa and IIb hyperlipidemia
, ADVERSE EFFECTS
Back pain, myalgia, headache, constipation, diarrhea, sinusitis, rash
Beta Blockers - Answer -lol
Example: atenolol (Tenormin)
Blocks beta 1 adrenergic receptors located in cardiac muscle. Reduces rate/force of cardiac contraction,
cardiac output is reduced, lowers BP, decreases peripheral vascualar resistence
INDICATIONS
Exertional angina, myocardian infarction, hypertension, cardiac dysrhythmias, essential tremor(nervous
system disorder that causes rhythmic shaking)
ADVERSE EFFECTS
dizziness, vertigo, fatigue, weakness, lethargy, drowsiness, insomnia, depression, bradycardia,
hypotension, CHF, cold extremeties, leg pains, NV, diarrhea, pulmonary edema, dyspnea
Calcium Channel Blockers - Answer -pine
Examples: amlodipine (Norvasc), diltiazem (Cardizem), verpamil (Isoptin)
Blocks calcium ion reflux across cell membranes of cardiac and vascular smooth muscle. Acts on
peripheral circulation, decreasing peripheral resistance and increases cardiac output.
INDICATIONS
Angina, hypertension, supraventricular tachycardia, coronary artery spasms
ADVERSE EFFECTS
bradycardia, peripheral/facial edema, hypotension, light-headedness, fatigue, HA, NV, constipation,
sexual dysfunction, cramps
