Hypertension Medications: In a Nutshell (Nursing)

00:01 So let's sum up in a nutshell.

00:03 Remember, ACE inhibitors end in "pril." ARBs end in "tan." The RAAS causes vasoconstriction and increases volume. Remember we have the -- and -- volume expansion.

00:21 Renin and angiotensin equals angiotensin I.

00:25 Angiotensin I + ACE = angiotensin II, which is a very, very potent vasoconstrictor and it also stimulates the release of aldosterone, which causes my body to hang on to sodium and therefore, water follows.

00:40 That's what gives me the volume expansion.

00:43 ACE inhibitors, angiotensin II receptor blockers, ARBs, direct renin inhibitors, and selective aldosterone receptor antagonists are medications that directly interact with the RAAS.

00:57 Now, before we go on, what I'd like you to do is pause, and see if you can write out the RAAS by yourself.

01:12 Next, what I'd like you to do is take each one of the drugs, listen to that summary statement, ACE Inhibitors.

01:18 At what point in the RAAS do they interact? Angiotensin II receptor blockers, where do you put them? Direct renin inhibitors, where do they fit on your diagram? Selective aldosterone receptor antagonist, where do they fit? Knowing where each of these medications interact with the RAAS, we're sure that you have a deeper understanding of the risks and the huge benefits of these medications used to treat elevated blood pressure.

01:50 Keeping adverse effects, we want to look for the key ones of each of these medications.

01:55 And finally, let's grip those key adverse effects for this family and category of medications together.

02:01 Remember, we've got A, C, E: angioedema, cough, and elevated potassium.

02:08 Also, remember that the prils are really at risk for first dosed orthostatic hypertension, but any of the meds can, kind of, still put a patient at risk for that.

02:19 And finally, lot of these medications should not be used with pregnant women.

02:26 Thank you for watching our video on medications to treat hypertension.