Cardiovascular Drugs and Medications Q 37

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As a competent nurse, you are aware that vasodilators are used mainly to treat:

  

     A. Diabetes

     B. Hypertension

     C. Atrial fibrillation

     D. Hypotension

    

    

Correct Answer: B. Hypertension

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Vasodilators are used to treat hypertension. Vasodilators are useful in treating a variety of medical conditions, most commonly systemic hypertension. Other diseases include myocardial infarction (both ST-segment elevation and non-ST-segment elevation), angina, heart failure, stroke, chronic kidney disease, preeclampsia, hypertensive emergency.

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Option A: They are not used to treat diabetes. Since T1DM is a disease primarily due to the absence of insulin, insulin administration through daily injections, or an insulin pump, is the mainstay of treatment. In T2DM, diet and exercise may be adequate treatments, especially initially. Other therapies may target insulin sensitivity or increase insulin secretion by the pancreas. The specific subclasses for drugs include biguanides (metformin), sulfonylureas, meglitinides, alpha-glucosidase inhibitors, thiazolidinediones, glucagon like-peptide-1 agonist, dipeptidyl peptidase IV inhibitors, selective, amylinomimetics, and sodium-glucose transporter-2 inhibitors.

Option C: Atrial fibrillation is not treated with vasodilators. If there is evidence of rapid ventricular response, a beta-blocker or calcium-channel blocker should be commenced for rate control. These options can be used in the intravenous (IV) form for rapid response. Usually, a bolus is administered to the patient and then started on a drip if symptoms do not resolve.

Option D: Vasodilators are not used to treat hypotension. Asymptomatic hypotension should not receive drastic interventions. However, if symptoms are present, the treatment of hypotension should focus on reversing the underlying etiology.

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