The client is prescribed doxazosin (Cardura) for hypertension and asks the nurse how the medication works. Which response by the nurse is the most appropriate?

Question

1. "It works by making your blood vessels expand."
2. "It works by causing your kidneys to excrete more urine."
3. "It works by decreasing the release of stress hormones."
4. "It works by making your heart work more efficiently."

Answer 1

Correct Answer: 1
Rationale 1: Doxazosin (Cardura) is selective for blocking alpha-1 receptors in vascular smooth muscle, which results in dilation of arteries and veins.
Rationale 2: Excreting more urine is an effect of diuretic medications.
Rationale 3: Decreasing the release of stress hormones is not an effect of doxazosin (Cardura).
Rationale 4: Increasing the efficiency of the heart is not an effect of doxazosin (Cardura).
Global Rationale: Doxazosin (Cardura) is selective for blocking alpha-1 receptors in vascular smooth muscle, which results in dilation of arteries and veins. Excreting more urine is an effect of diuretic medications. Decreasing the release of stress hormones is not an effect of doxazosin (Cardura). Increasing the efficiency of the heart is not an effect of doxazosin (Cardura).