Deck 21: Calcium Channel Blockers

Question 1

A patient who takes nitroglycerin for stable angina pectoris develops hypertension.The primary care NP should contact the patient's cardiologist to discuss adding:

A) amlodipine (Norvasc).
B) diltiazem (Cardizem).
C) verapamil HCl (Calan).
D) nifedipine (Procardia XL).

Answer 1

nifedipine (Procardia XL).

Question 2

A patient who has angina is taking nitroglycerin and long-acting nifedipine.The primary care NP notes a persistent blood pressure of 90/60 mm Hg at several follow-up visits.The patient reports lightheadedness associated with standing up.The NP should consult with the patient's cardiologist about changing the medication to:

A) amlodipine (Norvasc).
B) isradipine (DynaCirc).
C) verapamil HCl (Calan).
D) short-acting nifedipine (Procardia).

Answer 2

verapamil HCl (Calan).

Question 3

A patient who has stable angina pectoris and a history of previous myocardial infarction takes nitroglycerin and verapamil.The patient asks the primary care nurse practitioner (NP)why it is necessary to take verapamil.The NP should tell the patient that verapamil:

A) improves blood flow and oxygen delivery to the heart.
B) increases the rate of contraction of the cardiac muscle.
C) increases the force of contraction of the cardiac muscle.
D) has a positive inotropic effect to increase cardiac output.

Answer 3

improves blood flow and oxygen delivery to the heart.

Question 4

An African-American patient who is obese has persistent blood pressure readings greater than 150/95 mm Hg despite treatment with a thiazide diuretic.The primary care NP should consider prescribing a(n):

A) angiotensin receptor blocker.
B) b-blocker.
C) ACE inhibitor.
D) calcium channel blocker.

Question 5

A patient who has stable angina is taking nitroglycerin and a b-blocker.The patient tells the primary care NP that the cardiologist is considering adding a calcium channel blocker.The NP should anticipate that the cardiologist will prescribe:

A) isradipine (DynaCirc).
B) nicardipine (Cardene).
C) verapamil HCl (Calan).
D) nifedipine (Procardia XL).

Question 6

A patient who takes a calcium channel blocker is in the clinic for an annual physical examination.The cardiovascular examination is normal.As part of routine monitoring for this patient,the primary care NP should evaluate:

A) serum calcium channel blocker level.
B) complete blood count and electrolytes.
C) liver function tests (LFTs) and renal function.
D) thyroid and insulin levels.

Question 7

A patient who is taking nifedipine develops mild edema of both feet.The primary care NP should contact the patient's cardiologist to discuss:

A) changing to amlodipine.
B) ordering renal function tests.
C) increasing the dose of nifedipine.
D) evaluation of left ventricular function.