Calcium Channel Blockers

Question 1

Identify the action of calcium channel blockers.

Answer 1

inhibits movement of Ca+ across cardiac muscle cells

Question 2

Identify the intended effect of calcium channel blockers.

Answer 2

heart
(“Calcium calms the heart.”)
* decreases cardiac impulse through nodes, slowing contraction, lowers oxygen consumption

peripheral
* dilates arterioles, lowers BP

Question 3

Identify uses for calcium channel blockers.

Answer 3

Primarily: Hypertension, tachycardic dysrhythmias
Also: angina

Question 4

Identify contraindications with calcium channel blockers.

Answer 4

AVOID grapefruit (milk/calcium + citrus = curdles, ew!)

Question 5

Identify adverse effects of calcium channel blockers.

Answer 5

• hypotension
• peripheral edema (dilates arteries but not veins, causing pooling)
• bradycardia, constipation
• cardiac dysrhythmias

Question 6

Identify common dysrhythmias seen with calcium channel blockers.

Answer 6

prolonged QT, slow HR

Question 7

Identify drug interactions with calcium channel blockers.

Answer 7

• beta blockers
• grapefruit

Question 8

What to assess with calcium channel blockers?

Answer 8

apical pulse for full 1 minute,
EKG,
edema, weight gain

Question 9

What to teach with calcium channel blockers?

Answer 9

HR, BP monitoring
report: dizziness, edema, wt gain
high fiber for constipation