Question

GG, a 72-year-old African American patient, has heart failure and diabetes. Her vital signs are blood pressure 176/94, pulse 92, and respirations 30. Her medications include hydrochlorothiazide 50 mg/day and atenolol 50 mg/day.

7. When using a combination drug therapy to correct hypertension, would the dosage for each drug be the same? Explain your answer.
8. When abruptly discontinuing beta blockers for hypertension without the patient taking another antihypertensive, what might occur? Explain how adverse effects can be avoided.
    GG’s blood glucose is 229. Her drugs for controlling hypertension are changed to prazosin 10 mg three times daily. Her cholesterol and LDL are elevated, and her serum potassium level is 3.2 mEq/L.
9. Why were GG’s hydrochlorothiazide and atenolol discontinued? Explain your answer.
10. What type of antihypertensive is prazosin? Explain the physiologic action of prazosin for lowering the blood pressure.
11. Does prazosin have an effect on the blood glucose level? What effect could prazosin have on GG’s abnormal lipid levels? Explain your answer.
    GG’s ankles have become edematous. Hydrochlorothiazide is again prescribed.
12. Why was hydrochlorothiazide again added to the drug regimen?
13. Is the daily prazosin dose within the safe therapeutic prescribed range for GG? Explain your answer. (You may refer to Prototype Drug Chart 39.2.)
14. List the groups of antihypertensive drugs that can cause sodium and water retention.

Answer 1

Case summary:

The patient is 72 year old and is of African-American origin. She suffers from failure of heart and diabetes. The vital signs show 176/94 blood pressure, 92 pulse, and 30 respirations. The medication prescribed is as follows; 50 mg/dayatenolol, 0.25 mg/day digoxin and50 mg/day hydrochlorothiazide.

Determine why hydrochlorothiazide is prescribed to the patient:

The drug hydrochlorothiazide is a thiazide diuretic, which means it is a water pill. It prevents excessive absorption of salt from the body. It is useful in treating hypertension.

Hydrochlorothiazide’s effect on blood pressure:

The drug helps to decrease blood pressure. It reduces helps in the reduction of a fluid called edema, which is in excess.

Conclusion:

The patient is prescribed the medication because of the hypertension and to control it.