Question

Antihypertensive drug

A client has been prescribed antihypertensive therapy with captopril. During the course of the therapy , what assessments should the carry out?

Vasodilating Drugs

What drugs are used in the treatment of peripheral vascular disease?Select two vasodilators and describe the mechanism of action and adverse effects of each drugs selected ?

Answer 1

.1. NURSING ASSESSMENT OF CAPTOPRIL ADMINISTRATION:-

- Monitoring of blood pressure and pulse during initial dose adjustment and periodically during therapy.

- monitor weight in patients treated with CHF.

- monitor for fluid overload (peripheral edema, rales or crackles, dyspnea, weight gain.)

-The drug should be administered 1 hour before or 2 hours after meals.

2. TREATMENT OF PERIPHERAL VASCULAR DISEASE (PVD):-

-Antiplatelet agents :- low dose aspirin,clopidogrel etc.

- cholesterol-lowering drugs as statins.

- vasodilators :- increase blood supply to the extremities such as cilostazol.

- Antihypertensive agents.

3. VASODILATORS:- these drugs causes vasodilation(widening of blood vessels that results from relaxation of the smooth muscle of the vessels).

(i) ACE (Angiotensin converting enzyme):-

-ACE decreases the production of angiotensin that causes the blood vessels to narrow. As a result, blood pressure reduces because of the enlarged blood vessels.

(ii)CCBs (calcium channel blockers):-

-The smooth muscles cells of the arteries use calcium for muscle contraction.

-CCBs block calcium from entering into the smooth cells, which relax the artery muscles. This leads to dilation (opening) of the artery.