Everything

What type of medicine is Lisinopril?

ACE inhibitor: a medicine that lowers blood pressure.

How does Lisinopril work?

Blocks angiotensin II formation. This relaxes blood vessels and reduces salt and water retention.

Why is Lisinopril given?

To treat high blood pressure, heart failure, and certain kidney or heart problems.

What side effects can Lisinopril cause?

Dry cough, low blood pressure, and high potassium. Swelling of the lips, tongue, or throat is an emergency.

When should Lisinopril be avoided or used carefully?

Avoid during pregnancy and after an ACE-inhibitor swelling reaction. Use carefully with kidney problems or high potassium.

What can interact with Lisinopril?

Potassium pills, potassium salt substitutes, and spironolactone can raise potassium too much. Other blood-pressure medicines can lower BP too much.

How is Lisinopril given?

Give by mouth as prescribed. Watch for a large BP drop after the first dose.

What should the nurse check for Lisinopril?

Check blood pressure, potassium, and kidney blood tests. Report a persistent cough. Get emergency help for tongue or throat swelling.

How do you know Lisinopril is working?

Blood pressure moves toward the goal. If used for heart failure, swelling or breathing may improve.

What should the client remember about Lisinopril?

Stand up slowly. Do not add potassium products without approval. Report pregnancy or a dry cough. Get emergency help for facial or throat swelling.

What type of medicine is Captopril?

ACE inhibitor: a medicine that lowers blood pressure.

How does Captopril work?

Blocks angiotensin II formation. This relaxes blood vessels and reduces salt and water retention.

Why is Captopril given?

To treat high blood pressure, heart failure, and certain kidney or heart problems.

What side effects can Captopril cause?

Dry cough, low blood pressure, and high potassium. Swelling of the lips, tongue, or throat is an emergency.

When should Captopril be avoided or used carefully?

Avoid during pregnancy and after an ACE-inhibitor swelling reaction. Use carefully with kidney problems or high potassium.

What can interact with Captopril?

Potassium pills, potassium salt substitutes, and spironolactone can raise potassium too much. Other blood-pressure medicines can lower BP too much.

How is Captopril given?

Give by mouth 1 hour before meals as prescribed. Food reduces how much medicine is absorbed.

What should the nurse check for Captopril?

Check blood pressure, potassium, and kidney blood tests. Report a persistent cough. Get emergency help for tongue or throat swelling.

How do you know Captopril is working?

Blood pressure moves toward the goal. If used for heart failure, swelling or breathing may improve.

What should the client remember about Captopril?

Stand up slowly. Do not add potassium products without approval. Report pregnancy or a dry cough. Get emergency help for facial or throat swelling.

What type of medicine is Atenolol?

Beta blocker. Atenolol and metoprolol mainly block beta1 receptors in the heart.

How does Atenolol work?

Slows the heartbeat and reduces how hard the heart works. It also reduces renin release from the kidneys.

Why is Atenolol given?

To treat high blood pressure and selected heart problems, such as chest pain or a fast heartbeat.

What side effects can Atenolol cause?

Slow heartbeat, low blood pressure, dizziness, and sometimes worsening heart failure.

When should Atenolol be avoided or used carefully?

Check with the prescriber for a very slow pulse, heart block, shock, or worsening heart failure. Use carefully with asthma or diabetes.

What can interact with Atenolol?

Digoxin can slow the pulse further. Other BP medicines can lower blood pressure further.

How is Atenolol given?

Check pulse and BP before giving. Follow the specific order about when to hold a dose.

What should the nurse check for Atenolol?

Check pulse, BP, breathing, swelling, and weight. It can hide the fast heartbeat usually caused by low blood sugar.

How do you know Atenolol is working?

Blood pressure and pulse move toward the ordered goals. Chest pain or fast-heartbeat symptoms may improve.

What should the client remember about Atenolol?

Check your pulse as taught. Never stop suddenly. Report worsening breathing, swelling, or chest pain.

What type of medicine is Metoprolol?

Beta blocker. Atenolol and metoprolol mainly block beta1 receptors in the heart.

How does Metoprolol work?

Slows the heartbeat and reduces how hard the heart works. It also reduces renin release from the kidneys.

Why is Metoprolol given?

To treat high blood pressure and selected heart problems, such as chest pain or a fast heartbeat.

What side effects can Metoprolol cause?

Slow heartbeat, low blood pressure, dizziness, and sometimes worsening heart failure.

When should Metoprolol be avoided or used carefully?

Check with the prescriber for a very slow pulse, heart block, shock, or worsening heart failure. Use carefully with asthma or diabetes.

What can interact with Metoprolol?

Digoxin can slow the pulse further. Other BP medicines can lower blood pressure further.

How is Metoprolol given?

Give the prescribed oral or IV form. Do not crush extended-release tablets. Take oral doses consistently with food instructions.

What should the nurse check for Metoprolol?

Check pulse, BP, breathing, swelling, and weight. It can hide the fast heartbeat usually caused by low blood sugar.

How do you know Metoprolol is working?

Blood pressure and pulse move toward the ordered goals. Chest pain or fast-heartbeat symptoms may improve.

What should the client remember about Metoprolol?

Check your pulse as taught. Never stop suddenly. Report worsening breathing, swelling, or chest pain.

What type of medicine is Propranolol?

Nonselective beta blocker: blocks beta1 and beta2 receptors. Also a class II medicine for abnormal heart rhythms.

How does Propranolol work?

Slows the heartbeat and reduces how hard the heart works. It also reduces renin release from the kidneys.

Why is Propranolol given?

To treat high blood pressure and selected heart problems, such as chest pain or a fast heartbeat.

What side effects can Propranolol cause?

Slow heartbeat, low blood pressure, dizziness, and sometimes worsening heart failure.

When should Propranolol be avoided or used carefully?

Can tighten the airways, so asthma needs special review. Also review a very slow pulse, heart block, or unstable heart failure.

What can interact with Propranolol?

Digoxin can slow the pulse further. Other BP medicines can lower blood pressure further.

How is Propranolol given?

Check pulse and BP before giving. Follow the specific order about when to hold a dose.

What should the nurse check for Propranolol?

Check pulse, BP, breathing, swelling, and weight. It can hide the fast heartbeat usually caused by low blood sugar.

How do you know Propranolol is working?

Blood pressure and pulse move toward the ordered goals. Chest pain or fast-heartbeat symptoms may improve.

What should the client remember about Propranolol?

Check your pulse as taught. Never stop suddenly. Report worsening breathing, swelling, or chest pain.

What type of medicine is Nicardipine?

Calcium channel blocker; dihydropyridine type.

How does Nicardipine work?

Relaxes blood vessels so blood can flow more easily and blood pressure falls.

Why is Nicardipine given?

To lower high blood pressure. An IV form may be ordered for closely controlled BP lowering.

What side effects can Nicardipine cause?

Low BP, dizziness, headache, flushing, leg swelling, or a fast heartbeat.

When should Nicardipine be avoided or used carefully?

Use carefully with low BP and certain heart, kidney, or liver problems. Review the drug-specific order.

What can interact with Nicardipine?

Other BP medicines can make blood pressure drop too much. Check the full medicine list.

How is Nicardipine given?

Give the ordered form. For IV treatment, follow the exact pump-rate and dose-adjustment instructions.

What should the nurse check for Nicardipine?

Check BP closely during an IV infusion. Check pulse, dizziness, and leg swelling.

How do you know Nicardipine is working?

Blood pressure moves toward the goal without severe dizziness or fainting.

What should the client remember about Nicardipine?

Stand up slowly. Report fainting, strong dizziness, a racing heart, or swollen legs.

What type of medicine is Furosemide?

Loop diuretic: a water pill.

How does Furosemide work?

Helps the kidneys remove salt and water in urine. Potassium is also lost.

Why is Furosemide given?

To remove extra fluid, including fluid in the lungs; sometimes to lower BP.

What side effects can Furosemide cause?

Low potassium, dehydration, low BP, low sodium, or hearing problems. Blood sugar or gout symptoms may increase.

When should Furosemide be avoided or used carefully?

Review if the client is not making urine, is dehydrated, or has low electrolytes. Use carefully with kidney or liver problems.

What can interact with Furosemide?

Low potassium increases digoxin toxicity risk. Some antibiotics add hearing-damage risk. NSAIDs may reduce the water-pill effect.

How is Furosemide given?

Give oral doses early in the day to reduce nighttime urination. Give IV doses slowly at the prescribed rate.

What should the nurse check for Furosemide?

Check BP, daily weight, fluid intake and urine output, kidney tests, and electrolytes. Report ringing in the ears.

How do you know Furosemide is working?

Less swelling, easier breathing, and loss of extra fluid weight.

What should the client remember about Furosemide?

Stand up slowly. Report muscle weakness, an irregular pulse, dizziness, or hearing changes. Follow the prescribed potassium plan.

What type of medicine is Hydrochlorothiazide (HCTZ)?

Thiazide diuretic: a water pill.

How does Hydrochlorothiazide (HCTZ) work?

Helps the kidneys remove salt and water in urine. Potassium can also be lost.

Why is Hydrochlorothiazide (HCTZ) given?

To lower BP and sometimes reduce extra fluid.

What side effects can Hydrochlorothiazide (HCTZ) cause?

Low potassium or sodium, dehydration, higher blood sugar, or gout symptoms.

When should Hydrochlorothiazide (HCTZ) be avoided or used carefully?

Review if the client is not making urine or has low electrolytes. Check allergies and kidney/liver problems.

What can interact with Hydrochlorothiazide (HCTZ)?

Potassium loss raises digoxin toxicity risk. Lithium can build up. NSAIDs may make this medicine work less well.

How is Hydrochlorothiazide (HCTZ) given?

Give by mouth as ordered, usually early in the day. Food may reduce stomach upset.

What should the nurse check for Hydrochlorothiazide (HCTZ)?

Check BP, weight, fluid balance, potassium and other electrolytes, and kidney tests. Check blood sugar or gout symptoms when needed.

How do you know Hydrochlorothiazide (HCTZ) is working?

Blood pressure improves and extra fluid or swelling decreases.

What should the client remember about Hydrochlorothiazide (HCTZ)?

Report weakness, an irregular heartbeat, or gout pain. Stand up slowly and follow the prescribed potassium plan.

What type of medicine is Spironolactone?

Potassium-sparing diuretic: a water pill that keeps potassium. Also an aldosterone blocker.

How does Spironolactone work?

Blocks aldosterone so the body loses salt and water but holds on to potassium.

Why is Spironolactone given?

To treat certain cases of high BP, heart-failure swelling, or potassium loss.

What side effects can Spironolactone cause?

High potassium, breast enlargement in men, menstrual changes, or sexual problems.

When should Spironolactone be avoided or used carefully?

Review with high potassium, very poor kidney function, no urine output, or pregnancy.

What can interact with Spironolactone?

ACE inhibitors, potassium pills, and potassium salt substitutes can raise potassium too much.

How is Spironolactone given?

Give by mouth with food as prescribed.

What should the nurse check for Spironolactone?

Check potassium, kidney tests, BP, weight, and swelling. Report an irregular heartbeat.

How do you know Spironolactone is working?

Less swelling and improved BP/fluid balance, with potassium staying in the ordered range.

What should the client remember about Spironolactone?

Do not use potassium pills or potassium salt substitutes without approval. Report palpitations or muscle weakness.

What type of medicine is Digoxin?

Cardiac glycoside: a medicine that helps the heart squeeze more strongly.

How does Digoxin work?

Makes heart contractions stronger and slows signals through the AV node, which can slow the heartbeat.

Why is Digoxin given?

For selected heart-failure or heart-rate-control treatment plans.

What side effects can Digoxin cause?

Slow or irregular heartbeat. Too much can cause poor appetite, nausea, vomiting, confusion, or vision changes.

When should Digoxin be avoided or used carefully?

Use carefully with low potassium, kidney problems, or heart block. Do not give when toxicity is suspected without prescriber review.

What can interact with Digoxin?

Water pills that lower potassium raise toxicity risk. Beta blockers can slow the pulse further. St. John’s wort can lower digoxin levels.

How is Digoxin given?

Count the apical pulse (listen over the heart) for 1 full minute first. Follow hold instructions; the PDF commonly uses below 60/min in adults.

What should the nurse check for Digoxin?

Check pulse, heart rhythm, potassium, kidney tests, and ordered digoxin level. Hold and report suspected toxicity. Digoxin immune Fab is the antidote for severe toxicity.

How do you know Digoxin is working?

Heart-failure symptoms improve or the heart rate is controlled, without toxicity.

What should the client remember about Digoxin?

Check your pulse as taught. Do not double a dose. Report nausea, poor appetite, halos around lights, confusion, or a slow/irregular pulse.