Discussion: Pharmacotherapy for Cardiovascular Disorders

Discussion: Pharmacotherapy for Cardiovascular Disorders
Discussion: Pharmacotherapy for Cardiovascular Disorders
As the leading cause of death in the United States for both men and women, cardiovascular disorders account for 7 million hospitalizations per year (NCSL, 2012). This is the result of the extensive treatment and care that is often required for patients with these disorders. While the incidences of hospitalizations and death are still high, the mortality rate of cardiovascular disorders has been declining since the 1960s (CDC, 2011). Improved treatment options have contributed to this decline, as well as more knowledge on patient risk factors. As an advanced practice nurse, it is your responsibility to recommend appropriate treatment options for patients with cardiovascular disorders. To ensure the safety and effectiveness of drug therapy, advanced practice nurses must consider aspects that might influence pharmacokinetic and pharmacodynamic processes such as medical history, other drugs currently prescribed, and individual patient factors.
Consider the following case studies:
Case Study 1:
Patient AO has a history of obesity and has recently gained 9 pounds. The patient has been diagnosed with hypertension and hyperlipidemia. Drugs currently prescribed include the following:
Atenolol 12.5 mg daily
Doxazosin 8 mg daily
Hydralazine 10 mg qid
Sertraline 25 mg daily
Simvastatin 80 mg daily
Case Study 2:
Patient HM has a history of atrial fibrillation and a transient ischemic attack (TIA). The patient has been diagnosed with type 2 diabetes, hypertension, hyperlipidemia and ischemic heart disease. Drugs currently prescribed include the following:
Warfarin 5 mg daily MWF and 2.5 mg daily T, TH, Sat, Sun
Aspirin 81 mg daily
Metformin 1000 mg po bid
Glyburide 10 mg bid
Atenolol 100 mg po daily
Motrin 200 mg 1–3 tablets every 6 hours as needed for pain
Case Study 3:
Patient CB has a history of strokes. The patient has been diagnosed with type 2 diabetes, hypertension, and hyperlipidemia. Drugs currently prescribed include the following:
Glipizide 10 mg po daily
HCTZ 25 mg daily
Atenolol 25 mg po daily
Hydralazine 25 mg qid
Simvastatin 80 mg daily
Verapamil 180 mg CD daily
To prepare:
Review this week’s media presentation on hypertension and hyperlipidemia, as well as Chapters 19 and 20 of the Arcangelo and Peterson text.
Select one of the three case studies, as well as one the following factors: genetics, gender, ethnicity, age, or behavior factors.
Reflect on how the factor you selected might influence the patient’s pharmacokinetic and pharmacodynamic processes.
Consider how changes in the pharmacokinetic and pharmacodynamic processes might impact the patient’s recommended drug therapy.
Think about how you might improve the patient’s drug therapy plan based on the pharmacokinetic and pharmacodynamic changes. Reflect on whether you would modify the current drug treatment or provide an alternative treatment option for the patient.
With these thoughts in mind:
By Day 3
Post an explanation of how the factor you selected might influence the pharmacokinetic and pharmacodynamic processes in the patient from the case study you selected. Then, describe how changes in the processes might impact the patient’s recommended drug therapy. Finally, explain how you might improve the patient’s drug therapy plan.
By Day 6
Read a selection of your colleagues’ responses and respond to at least two of your colleagues on two different days who selected a different case study than you did, in one or more of the following ways:
Provide alternative recommendations for drug treatments.
Offer and support an alternative perspective using readings from the classroom or from your own research in the Walden Library.
Validate an idea with your own experience and additional research.
Week 4 discussion
Discussion: Pharmacotherapy for Respiratory Disorders
To the untrained ear, most coughs sound the same. However, as you might recall from past clinical experiences, a simple cough can lead to a patient diagnosis of a common cold, pneumonia, or even a chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). Although it can sometimes be challenging to diagnose a patient based on common respiratory symptoms such as congestion, coughing, and wheezing, it is important to be able to distinguish minor differences as even mild symptoms might require intervention with drug treatments. When recommending potential treatment options, advanced practice nurses must consider how individual patient factors might impact the effects of prescribed drugs.
To prepare:
Review Chapter 26 and Chapter 27 of the Arcangelo and Peterson text.
Select and research one of the following respiratory disorders: the common cold, pneumonia, or a chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) such as emphysema or chronic bronchitis. Consider types of drugs that would be prescribed to patients to treat symptoms associated with this disorder.
Select one of the following factors: genetics, gender, ethnicity, age, or behavior. Reflect on how this factor might impact effects of prescribed drugs, as well as any measures you might take to help reduce negative side effects.
With these thoughts in mind:
By Day 3
Post a description of the respiratory disorder you selected including types of drugs that would be prescribed to patients to treat associated symptoms. Then, explain how the factor you selected might impact effects of prescribed drugs, as well as any measures you might take to help reduce negative side effects.
By Day 6
Read a selection of your colleagues’ responses and respond to at least two of your colleagues on two different days who selected a different respiratory disorder than you did. If the disorder you selected is primarily associated with the upper respiratory system, respond to colleagues who selected disorders primarily associated with the lower respiratory system. Provide alternative recommendations for drug treatments.
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