Calcium Channel Blockers

Question 1

Calcium Channel Blockers Drug Names

Answer 1

Amlodipine
Felodipine
Nifedipine
Diltiazem
Verapamil

“-dipine” and others

Question 2

Calcium Channel Blockers Therapeutic Actions

Answer 2

• Inhibits the movement of calcium ions across the cell membranes of cardiac and arterial muscle, depressing the impulse and leading to slowed conduction, decreased myocardial contractibility, and relaxing and dilating the arteries
• Decrease BP, cardiac work load, and myocardial oxygen consumption

Question 3

Calcium Channel Blockers Indications

Answer 3

• HTN
• Prinzmetals angina
• Arrhythmias

Question 4

Calcium Channel Blockers Contraindications and Cautions

Answer 4

Contraindication:
•	Allergy 
•	Renal or hepatic dysfunction
•	Heart block or sick sinus syndrome 
•	CHF
•	Pregnancy and lactation

Question 5

Calcium Channel Blockers DDI and DFI

Answer 5

DDI:
• Cyclosporine and diltiazem
• Digoxin and Veramil
• Vary with each drug

DFI:
• Grapefruit

Question 6

Calcium Channel Blockers Adverse Effects

Answer 6

•	Related to effects on cardiac output
-	CNS
-	CV
•	Other 
-	GI 
-	Skin; flushing or rash
•	Hypotension 
•	Cardiac arrhythmias

Question 7

Calcium Channel Blockers:

Assessments

Answer 7

Assess:
Hx: allergy, heart block, sick sinus syndrome, heart failure, liver and kidney impairment
Physical: vital signs, weight, skin, respiratory, cardiac, neuro, abdominal, ECG, pain (baseline)
Labs: renal and liver function tests

Question 8

Calcium Channel Blockers:

Diagnosis

Answer 8

Dx:

• Decreased cardiac output
• Risk for injury
• Ineffective tissue perfusion
• Deficient knowledge

Question 9

Calcium Channel Blockers:

Implementation

Answer 9

Implementation:
• Monitor the patients blood pressure, cardiac rhythm, and cardiac output
• Comfort measures including environmental
• Safety precautions
• Provide thorough patient teaching

Question 10

Calcium Channel Blockers:

Evaluation

Answer 10

Eval:
Response to the drug (weight, electrolytes, blood pressure)
Adverse effects (CNS, CV, GI skin rashing)
Effectiveness of comfort measures Compliance with the regimen
Effectiveness of the teaching plan