Cardiovascular System

Alterations of the cardiovascular system can cause serious adverse events and may lead to death when not treated in a timely and safe manner. Unfortunately, many patients with cardiovascular disorders are unaware until complications appear. In clinical settings, patients often present with symptoms of several cardiovascular disorders, making it essential for you, as the advanced practice nurse, to be able to recognize these symptoms and recommend appropriate drug treatment options.

This week, you examine the impact of patient factors that may lead to changes in pharmacokinetic and pharmacodynamic processes on patient drug therapy for cardiovascular disorders. You also explore ways to improve drug therapy plans for cardiovascular disorders based on patient factors and overall health needs.

Rosenthal, L. D., & Burchum, J. R. (2021). Lehne’s pharmacotherapeutics for advanced practice nurses and physician assistants (2nd ed.) St. Louis, MO: Elsevier.

· Chapter 33, “Review of Hemodynamics” (pp. 285–289)

· Chapter 37, “Diuretics” (pp. 290–296)

· Chapter 38, “Drugs Acting on the Renin-Angiotensin-Aldosterone System” (pp. 297–307)

· Chapter 39, “Calcium Channel Blockers” (pp. 308–312)

· Chapter 40, “Vasodilators” (pp. 313–317)

· Chapter 41, “Drugs for Hypertension” (pp. 316–324)

· Chapter 42, “Drugs for Heart Failure” (pp. 325–336)

· Chapter 43, “Antidysrhythmic Drugs” (pp. 337–348)

· Chapter 44, “Prophylaxis of Atherosclerotic Cardiovascular Disease: Drugs That Help Normalize Cholesterol and Triglyceride Levels” (pp. 349–363)

· Chapter 45, “Drugs for Angina Pectoris” (pp. 364–371)

· Chapter 46, “Anticoagulant and Antiplatelet Drugs” (pp. 372–388)

Required Media (click to expand/reduce)

Assignment: Pharmacotherapy for Cardiovascular Disorders

…heart disease remains the No. 1 killer in America; nearly half of all Americans have high blood pressure, high cholesterol, or smoke—some of the leading risk factors for heart disease…

—Murphy et al., 2018

Despite the high mortality rates associated with cardiovascular disorders, improved treatment options do exist that can help address those risk factors that afflict the majority of the population today.  

Photo Credit: Getty Images/Science Photo Library RF

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.

Reference: Murphy, S. L., Xu, J., Kochanek, K. D., & Arias, E. (2018). Mortality in the United States, 2017. Retrieved from https://www.cdc.gov/nchs/products/databriefs/db328.htm

To Prepare

• Review the Resources for this module and consider the impact of      potential pharmacotherapeutics for cardiovascular disorders introduced in      the media piece.
• Review the case study assigned by your Instructor for this      Assignment.
• Select 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

Write a 3-page paper that addresses the following:

• Explain how the factor you selected      might influence the pharmacokinetic and pharmacodynamic processes in the      patient from the case study you were assigned.
• Describe how changes in the      processes might impact the patient’s recommended drug therapy. Be specific      and provide examples.
• Explain how you might improve the patient’s      drug therapy plan and explain why you would make these recommended      improvements.

At least 3 citations. APA format 7th edition