Diltiazem (Cardizem) is ordered for a patient with newly diagnosed Prinzmetal's (variant) angina. When teaching the patient, the nurse will include the information that diltiazem will
a. reduce heart palpitations.
b. decrease spasm of the coronary arteries.
c. increase the force of the heart contractions.
d. help prevent plaque from forming in the coronary arteries.
ANS: B
Prinzmetal's angina is caused by coronary artery spasm. Calcium channel blockers (e.g., diltiazem, amlodipine [Norvasc]) are a first-line therapy for this type of angina. Lipid-lowering drugs help reduce atherosclerosis (i.e., plaque formation), and ?-adrenergic blockers decrease sympathetic stimulation of the heart (i.e., palpitations). Medications or activities that increase myocardial contractility will increase the incidence of angina by increasing oxygen demand.
You might also like to view...
An 81-year-old female patient in a subacute medical unit of a hospital has developed an oral Candida albicans infection. Which of the following phenomena would the patient's nurse suspect as a key contributing factor to her infection?
A) The moist and temperature-suited oral environment of the client's mouth B) The ability of fungi to remain latent until the host reaches an immunocompromised state C) Antibiotic therapy that eliminated normal bacterial flora D) The airborne communicability of yeast and molds and subsequent inhalation
A 65-year-old man presents at the clinic complaining of nodules on both legs
The man tells the nurse that his son, who is in medical school, encouraged him to seek prompt care and told him that the nodules are related to the fact that he is Jewish. What health problem should the nurse suspect? A) Stasis ulcers B) Bullous pemphigoid C) Psoriasis D) Classic Kaposi's sarcoma
When evaluating a woman for sexually transmitted infections (STIs), the nurse should be aware that the most common bacterial sexually transmitted infection is:
a. Gonorrhea. b. Syphilis. c. Chlamydia. d. Candidiasis.
Which infant is at greater risk to develop cold stress?
a. Full-term infant delivered vaginally without complications b. 36-week infant with an Apgar score of 7 to 9 c. 38-week female infant delivered via cesarean section because of cephalopelvic disproportion d. Term infant delivered vaginally with epidural anesthesia