Ch. 43: Focus on Nursing Pharmacology
(Karch) - Drugs Affecting Blood Pressure
Actions: - ANS-Acts directly on vascular smooth muscle to cause vasodilation and drop of
blood pressure; does not inhibit cardiovascular reflexes and tachycardia; renin release will
occur.
\Adverse Effects: - ANS-Apprehension, headache, retrosternal pressure, palpitations,
cyanide toxicity, diaphoresis, nausea, vomiting, abdominal pain, irritation at the injection site.
\angiotensin II receptors - ANS-specific receptors found in blood vessels and in the adrenal
gland that react with angiotensin II to cause vasoconstriction and release of aldosterone
\angiotensin-converting-enzyme (ACE) inhibitor - ANS-drug that blocks ACE, the enzyme
responsible for converting angiotensin I to angiotensin II in the lungs; this blocking prevents
the vasoconstriction and aldosterone release related to angiotensin II
\baroreceptor - ANS-pressure receptor; located in the arch of the aorta and in the carotid
artery; responds to changes in pressure and influences the medulla to stimulate the
sympathetic system to increase or decrease blood pressure
\cardiovascular center - ANS-area of the medulla at which stimulation will activate the
sympathetic nervous system to increase blood pressure, heart rate, and so forth
\essential hypertension - ANS-sustained blood pressure above normal limits with no
discernible underlying cause
\hypotension - ANS-sustained blood pressure that is lower than that required to adequately
perfuse all of the body's tissues
\peripheral resistance - ANS-force that resists the flow of blood through the vessels, mostly
determined by the arterioles, which contract to increase resistance; important in determining
overall blood pressure
\Prototype Summary: Captopril
Actions: - ANS-Blocks angiotensin-converting enzyme from converting angiotensin I to
angiotensin II, leading to a decrease in blood pressure, a decrease in aldosterone
production, and a small increase in serum potassium levels, along with sodium and fluid
loss.
\Prototype Summary: Captopril
Adverse Effects: - ANS-Tachycardia, MI, rash, pruritus, gastric irritation, aphthous ulcers (A
small sensitive painful ulcer crater in the lining of the mouth. Commonly called a canker
sore.), peptic ulcers, dysgeusia (an abnormal taste or change in taste that won't go away. It
can be described as bad, metallic, salty, foul or rancid.), proteinuria, bone marrow
suppression, cough.
\Prototype Summary: Captopril
Indications: - ANS-Treatment of hypertension, heart failure, diabetic nephropathy, and left
ventricular dysfunction after a myocardial infarction (MI).
\Prototype Summary: Captopril
Route: - ANS-Oral
\Prototype Summary: Diltiazem
Actions: - ANS-Inhibits the movement of calcium ions across the membranes of cardiac and
arterial muscle
(Karch) - Drugs Affecting Blood Pressure
Actions: - ANS-Acts directly on vascular smooth muscle to cause vasodilation and drop of
blood pressure; does not inhibit cardiovascular reflexes and tachycardia; renin release will
occur.
\Adverse Effects: - ANS-Apprehension, headache, retrosternal pressure, palpitations,
cyanide toxicity, diaphoresis, nausea, vomiting, abdominal pain, irritation at the injection site.
\angiotensin II receptors - ANS-specific receptors found in blood vessels and in the adrenal
gland that react with angiotensin II to cause vasoconstriction and release of aldosterone
\angiotensin-converting-enzyme (ACE) inhibitor - ANS-drug that blocks ACE, the enzyme
responsible for converting angiotensin I to angiotensin II in the lungs; this blocking prevents
the vasoconstriction and aldosterone release related to angiotensin II
\baroreceptor - ANS-pressure receptor; located in the arch of the aorta and in the carotid
artery; responds to changes in pressure and influences the medulla to stimulate the
sympathetic system to increase or decrease blood pressure
\cardiovascular center - ANS-area of the medulla at which stimulation will activate the
sympathetic nervous system to increase blood pressure, heart rate, and so forth
\essential hypertension - ANS-sustained blood pressure above normal limits with no
discernible underlying cause
\hypotension - ANS-sustained blood pressure that is lower than that required to adequately
perfuse all of the body's tissues
\peripheral resistance - ANS-force that resists the flow of blood through the vessels, mostly
determined by the arterioles, which contract to increase resistance; important in determining
overall blood pressure
\Prototype Summary: Captopril
Actions: - ANS-Blocks angiotensin-converting enzyme from converting angiotensin I to
angiotensin II, leading to a decrease in blood pressure, a decrease in aldosterone
production, and a small increase in serum potassium levels, along with sodium and fluid
loss.
\Prototype Summary: Captopril
Adverse Effects: - ANS-Tachycardia, MI, rash, pruritus, gastric irritation, aphthous ulcers (A
small sensitive painful ulcer crater in the lining of the mouth. Commonly called a canker
sore.), peptic ulcers, dysgeusia (an abnormal taste or change in taste that won't go away. It
can be described as bad, metallic, salty, foul or rancid.), proteinuria, bone marrow
suppression, cough.
\Prototype Summary: Captopril
Indications: - ANS-Treatment of hypertension, heart failure, diabetic nephropathy, and left
ventricular dysfunction after a myocardial infarction (MI).
\Prototype Summary: Captopril
Route: - ANS-Oral
\Prototype Summary: Diltiazem
Actions: - ANS-Inhibits the movement of calcium ions across the membranes of cardiac and
arterial muscle
