Cardiovascular Drugs and Nursing Considerations
Cardiovascular medications include antihypertensives, cardiac glycosides, diuretics, and anticoagulants. Nurses monitor vital signs, electrolytes, and specific toxicities.
Practice Cardiovascular Drugs with PassMate AI →Key Points to Know
What you must know about Cardiovascular Drugs
Digoxin (a cardiac glycoside) slows and strengthens the heartbeat; check apical pulse for 1 minute before giving.
Withhold digoxin and report if the apical pulse is below 60 beats/min in adults.
Hypokalaemia increases the risk of digoxin toxicity.
Loop diuretics (furosemide) cause potassium loss; monitor for hypokalaemia.
ACE inhibitors (e.g., lisinopril) can cause a dry cough and hyperkalaemia.
Anticoagulants (warfarin, heparin) require monitoring for bleeding; know their antidotes.
NMCN Exam Tips
How this topic appears in the NMCN exam
Always check the apical pulse for a full minute before giving digoxin.
Digoxin + low potassium = toxicity risk — a favourite NMCN link.
Furosemide depletes potassium; watch for hypokalaemia signs.
Warfarin antidote = vitamin K; heparin antidote = protamine sulphate.
Practice Question
Test yourself
Before administering digoxin to an adult patient, the nurse checks the apical pulse and finds it is 52 beats per minute. The nurse should:
Explanation
Digoxin slows the heart rate. If the apical pulse is below 60 beats/min in an adult, the nurse should withhold the dose and notify the physician to avoid dangerous bradycardia and possible toxicity.
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