Cardiac Drugs

Framework (5 drug-class groupings):

• Beta-blockers and calcium channel blockers — slowing the heart, relaxing the vessels

• ACE inhibitors and ARBs — the cough, the potassium risk, first-dose hypotension

• Diuretics — loop vs. thiazide vs. potassium-sparing, and what each does to electrolytes

• Antiarrhythmics and anticoagulants — digoxin's narrow margin, warfarin vs. heparin vs. newer agents

• Nitrates and statins — the nitrate/ED-medication interaction, muscle pain on statins

Practice Lab — Top Cardiac Drugs Practice Lab (5 drills):

• Name the class — 8 generic drug names sorted into 6 classes

• What to check first — 6 scenarios on the essential pre-administration check for each class

• Spot the side effect — 6 findings matched back to the likely drug class, including digoxin toxicity signs

• Hold or give? — 7 scenarios with vitals, deciding hold vs. give against general teaching parameters

• Teaching point match — 6 patient-teaching lines matched to the class they belong to