Laboratory Values and Calcium Channel Blockers Review

Flashcards covering essential laboratory reference ranges and the classification and clinical use of Calcium Channel Blockers.

Potassium ($K^+$) Normal Range

$$3.5-5.0\,mEq/L$$

Sodium ($Na^+$) Normal Range

$$135-145\,mEq/L$$

Calcium ($Ca$) Normal Range

$$8.5-10.5\,mg/dL$$

Magnesium ($Mg$) Normal Range

$$1.5-2.5\,mEq/L$$

Chloride ($Cl$) Normal Range

$$98-106\,mEq/L$$

Phosphate ($PO_4^{3-}$) Normal Range

$$2.5-4.5\,mg/dL$$

Blood Urea Nitrogen (BUN) Normal Range

$$7-20\,mg/dL$$

Adult Female Creatinine Range

$$0.5-1.1\,mg/dL$$

Adult Male Creatinine Range

$$0.6-1.2\,mg/dL$$

Fasting Glucose Normal Range

$$70-99\,mg/dL$$

$CO_2$ (Bicarbonate) Normal Range

$$22-28\,mEq/L$$

White Blood Cell (WBC) Count Normal Range

$$4,500-11,000\,cells/mm^3$$

Red Blood Cell (RBC) Normal Range (Adult Female)

$$4.2-5.4\,million\,cells/mm^3$$

Hemoglobin ($Hgb$) Normal Range (Adult Female)

$$12.0-16.0\,g/dL$$

Hematocrit ($Hct$) Normal Range (Adult Female)

$$36\%-46\%$$

Platelet Count Normal Range

$$150,000-400,000/mm^3$$

Mean Corpuscular Volume (MCV) Normal Range

$$80-100\,fL$$

Mean Corpuscular Hemoglobin (MCH) Normal Range

$$27-31\,pg$$

MCH Concentration (MCHC) Normal Range

$$32-36\,g/dL$$

AST (Aspartate Aminotransferase) Normal Range

$8$ to $33\,U/L$

Hypokalemia clinical indicators

U wave on ECG

Hyperkalemia clinical indicators

Peaked T waves on ECG

Signs of Low Calcium ($Ca$)

$\downarrow$ Trousseau's and Chvostek's signs

Dihydropyridines Mechanism of Action

Primarily affect blood vessels and cause vasodilation.

Non-Dihydropyridines Mechanism of Action

Affect both the heart and blood vessels; slow AV node conduction and reduce heart rate/contractility.

Amlodipine

A Dihydropyridine CCB used for hypertension, chronic stable angina, and vasospastic angina.

Nifedipine

A Dihydropyridine CCB used for hypertension, angina, and Raynaud phenomenon.

Nimodipine

A Dihydropyridine CCB indicated for the prevention of cerebral vasospasm after subarachnoid hemorrhage.

Verapamil

A Non-Dihydropyridine CCB used for atrial fibrillation, SVT, angina, and hypertension; often causes constipation.

Diltiazem

A Non-Dihydropyridine CCB used for atrial fibrillation, SVT, angina, and hypertension.

Dihydropyridine common side effects

Peripheral edema, headache, flushing, and dizziness.

Non-Dihydropyridine common side effects

Bradycardia, constipation (especially verapamil), and hypotension.

CCB Dietary Interaction

Grapefruit juice may increase levels of some calcium channel blockers.

DHPS Mnemonic

Dilate Peripheral vessels (Amlodipine, nifedipine).

CCB Clinical Consideration

Monitor blood pressure and heart rate; use caution with heart failure (especially non-dihydropyridines).