A nurse is teaching a client who has hypertension and is prescribed nifedipine, a calcium channel blocker, about self-care measures. Which of the following instructions should the nurse include? (Select all that apply.)
Avoid drinking alcohol while taking this medication.
Monitor your blood pressure and pulse regularly.
Report any swelling in your ankles or feet to your provider.
Do not stop taking this medication abruptly.
Chew or crush the sustained-release tablet for faster action.
Correct Answer : A,B,C,D
Nifedipine is a calcium channel blocker that lowers blood pressure by relaxing the blood vessels and reducing the workload of the heart.
The following instructions should be included in the teaching:
• Avoid drinking alcohol while taking this medication. Alcohol can increase the risk of side effects such as dizziness, flushing, headache, and low blood pressure.
• Monitor your blood pressure and pulse regularly. This will help to evaluate the effectiveness of the medication and detect any abnormal changes. Normal blood pressure for adults is less than 130/80 mm Hg and normal pulse rate is 60 to 100 beats per minute.
• Report any swelling in your ankles or feet to your provider. This can be a sign of fluid retention or heart failure, which are possible complications of nifedipine.
• Do not stop taking this medication abruptly. This can cause a rebound increase in blood pressure and chest pain. The dose should be tapered gradually under the supervision of the provider.
Choice E is wrong because chewing or crushing the sustained-release tablet can cause too much of the drug to be released at once, which can lead to overdose or severe side effects.
The tablet should be swallowed whole with a glass of water.
Nursing Test Bank
Naxlex Comprehensive Predictor Exams
Related Questions
Correct Answer is ["A","C"]
Explanation
Losartan (Cozaar) is an angiotensin II receptor blocker (ARB) that is used to treat heart failure by lowering blood pressure and reducing fluid retention.
Patients taking losartan should:
• Weigh themselves every morning and report any changes.
This helps to monitor fluid status and detect signs of worsening heart failure.Weight gain of more than 2 kg (4.4 lb) in a week or 1 kg (2.2 lb) in a day should be reported to the health care provider.
• Call their doctor if they have a sore throat or fever.This could indicate an infection or a rare but serious side effect of losartan called angioedema, which causes swelling of the face, lips, tongue, or throat.
The other choices are wrong because:
• Losartan does not need to be taken with food to prevent stomach upset.It can be taken with or without food.
• Losartan does not increase the sensitivity to sunlight.However, some other medications for heart failure, such as diuretics, may do so.
• Drinking plenty of fluids to stay hydrated is not recommended for patients with heart failure, as it may worsen fluid retention and overload the heart.Patients should follow their prescribed fluid restriction and limit their sodium intake.
Correct Answer is E
Explanation
Adrenergic drugs.These are drugs that stimulate the sympathetic nervous system by mimicking or enhancing the effects of epinephrine and norepinephrine, the chemical messengers that activate adrenergic receptors.Adrenergic drugs can increase blood pressure, heart rate, cardiac output, vascular tone, and renin release by acting on different types of adrenergic receptors.
Choice A is wrong because beta blockers are drugs that inhibit the sympathetic nervous system by blocking the beta adrenergic receptors, which are responsible for increasing heart rate and contractility. Beta blockers can lower blood pressure and reduce cardiac workload.
Choice B is wrong because calcium channel blockers are drugs that inhibit the movement of calcium ions across the cell membrane of smooth muscle cells, which are found in blood vessels and the heart.Calcium channel blockers can relax blood vessels and lower blood pressure, as well as reduce heart rate and contractility.
Choice C is wrong because angiotensin II receptor blockers (ARBs) are drugs that block the action of angiotensin II, a hormone that causes vasoconstriction and stimulates the release of aldosterone, which increases sodium and water retention.
ARBs can lower blood pressure by dilating blood
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