Question

A client asks why they are taking diltiazem (Cardizem). Knowing this is a calcium channel blocker how would the nurse respond?

Answers:

A It is useful for preventing chest pain. It opens your coronary arteries to feed your heart

B It keeps the volume of blood your heart needs to pump to a minimum

C It keeps your platelets slippery to prevent blood clots from forming

D It keeps your cholesterol down by helping your liver process it more quickly

Answer 1

Answer is A and B.

Option A- Diltiazem is a calcium channel blocker. It is a potent vasodilator of the coronary arteries. It relaxes the coronary smooth muscle and thus is useful in preventing chest pain.

Option B - Diltiazem causes decrease in heart muscle contratility, heart rate and increases the time needed for each beat. These reduces the oxygen consumption of the heart and thus reduces the angina symptoms. These also reduces the blood pressure and thus reduces the amount of blood being pumped out.

Option C - Antiplatelets and anticoagulant drugs prevent blood to clot. Examples- aspirin, clopidogrel, warfarin, heparin.

Option D- Statins, resins, cholestrol absorption inhibitors and fibrates are the group of drugs that lower cholestrol levels in the body.