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Introduction
Introduction ( 5 Questions)
A nurse is teaching a client with hypertension about antihypertensive drugs. Which of the following statements by the client indicates an understanding of the teaching?
Choice A is wrong because antihypertensive drugs do not work by increasing the blood flow to the heart and kidneys. In fact, some antihypertensive drugs may decrease the blood flow to these organs as a side effect.
Antihypertensive drugs can lower blood pressure by affecting different parts of the cardiovascular system. This is a general statement that covers the various mechanisms of action of different classes of antihypertensive drugs, such as beta blockers, diuretics, ACE inhibitors, ARBs, calcium channel blockers, alpha blockers, and renin inhibitors. Each class of drugs has a different way of influencing the heart rate, blood vessel tone, blood volume, or hormonal activity that regulate blood pressure.
Choice C is wrong because antihypertensive drugs are not safe to use with any other medications or supplements. There are many potential drug interactions that can affect the efficacy or safety of antihypertensive drugs. For example, NSAIDs can reduce the blood pressure lowering effect of some antihypertensive drugs and increase the risk of kidney damage. Therefore, patients should always consult their doctor or pharmacist before taking any other medications or supplements with antihypertensive drugs.
Choice D is wrong because antihypertensive drugs will not cure hypertension if taken as prescribed. Hypertension is a chronic condition that requires lifelong management and lifestyle changes. Antihypertensive drugs can only control the blood pressure and prevent complications, but they do not address the underlying causes of hypertension. If patients stop taking their antihypertensive drugs, their blood pressure will likely rise again and increase the risk of heart attack, stroke, and kidney failure.
Antihypertensive drugs can lower blood pressure by affecting different parts of the cardiovascular system. This is a general statement that covers the various mechanisms of action of different classes of antihypertensive drugs, such as beta blockers, diuretics, ACE inhibitors, ARBs, calcium channel blockers, alpha blockers, and renin inhibitors. Each class of drugs has a different way of influencing the heart rate, blood vessel tone, blood volume, or hormonal activity that regulate blood pressure.
Choice A is wrong because antihypertensive drugs do not work by increasing the blood flow to the heart and kidneys. In fact, some antihypertensive drugs may decrease the blood flow to these organs as a side effect.
Choice C is wrong because antihypertensive drugs are not safe to use with any other medications or supplements. There are many potential drug interactions that can affect the efficacy or safety of antihypertensive drugs. For example, NSAIDs can reduce the blood pressure lowering effect of some antihypertensive drugs and increase the risk of kidney damage. Therefore, patients should always consult their doctor or pharmacist before taking any other medications or supplements with antihypertensive drugs.
Choice D is wrong because antihypertensive drugs will not cure hypertension if taken as prescribed. Hypertension is a chronic condition that requires lifelong management and lifestyle changes. Antihypertensive drugs can only control the blood pressure and prevent complications, but they do not address the underlying causes of hypertension. If patients stop taking their antihypertensive drugs, their blood pressure will likely rise again and increase the risk of heart attack, stroke, and kidney failure.