Question: Module 6 Active Reading Guide: Cardiovascular and Hematologic Medications Instructions: This guide will help you actively engage with Chapters 47, 48, and 49. Complete each
Module 6 Active Reading Guide: Cardiovascular and Hematologic Medications
Instructions: This guide will help you actively engage with Chapters 47, 48, and 49. Complete each section to build a comprehensive understanding of the actions, uses, side effects, and nursing care associated with lipid-lowering agents, anticoagulants, antiplatelets, hematopoietic growth factors, and drugs for anemia and hemophilia.
Chapter 47: Lipid-Lowering Agents
Pre-Reading Reflection
Before reading, reflect on the following:
- What do I know about how high cholesterol contributes to cardiovascular disease?
- What lifestyle changes can help manage cholesterol levels?
- Why would a patient need more than one type of cholesterol-lowering drug?
Fill-in-the-Blank Notes & Key Definitions
Complete the following using your reading:
- HMG-CoA reductase inhibitors (___________) lower cholesterol by ___________.
- Bile acid sequestrants work by ___________ bile acids in the intestine.
- The cholesterol absorption inhibitor ___________ prevents absorption in the ___________.
- A major side effect of statins to monitor is ___________.
- ___________ inhibitors, such as evolocumab, are used in cases of ___________.
Guided Reading Questions
- What is the difference between LDL and HDL cholesterol?
- Why are statins taken at night?
- What are key side effects of statins and how should they be monitored?
- How do bile acid sequestrants impact fat-soluble vitamin absorption?
Concept Mapping Activity: Lipid-Lowering Agents
| Drug Class | Mechanism of Action | Common Side Effect | Nursing Consideration |
Clinical Scenario: Application to Nursing Practice
Case Study: Statin Safety and Client Education
Mr. Reynolds is a 58-year-old client recently prescribed simvastatin for high LDL cholesterol. He takes it at bedtime, as instructed. After a week, he reports new-onset muscle aches and fatigue.
- What is your priority nursing assessment?
- What labs might be ordered and why?
- How would you educate Mr. Reynolds about possible side effects and when to call the provider?
- Why is bedtime dosing important for simvastatin?
Self-Reflection
- Which class of lipid-lowering drugs do I understand best?
- How will I educate a client starting a statin for the first time?
Chapter 48: Drugs Affecting Blood Coagulation
Pre-Reading Reflection
Before reading, reflect on the following:
- What is the difference between a blood clot and a bleeding disorder?
- When might a client be prescribed a blood thinner?
- What safety concerns do you anticipate with anticoagulants?
Fill-in-the-Blank Notes & Key Definitions
Complete the following using your reading:
- Antiplatelet agents (e.g., ___________) prevent ___________.
- Anticoagulants like warfarin inhibit ___________-dependent clotting factors.
- Heparin works by activating ___________ to inactivate clotting factors.
- The antidote for warfarin is ___________; for heparin, it is ___________.
- Thrombolytic agents work by converting ___________ to ___________.
Guided Reading Questions
- What lab tests monitor warfarin and heparin therapy?
- How do newer anticoagulants differ from traditional agents?
- What conditions might require thrombolytics?
- What are key safety teachings for clients on antiplatelet therapy?
Concept Mapping Activity: Anticoagulants and Antiplatelets
| Medication Class | Examples | Monitoring/Labs | Patient Teaching |
Clinical Scenario: Application to Nursing Practice
Case Study: Anticoagulation Safety
Ms. Brooks is a 70-year-old client hospitalized for atrial fibrillation. She is receiving warfarin daily. Her morning labs show an INR of 4.8. She reports mild gum bleeding and has a small bruise on her arm from a blood pressure cuff.
- What is your priority nursing action?
- What medication or intervention might be anticipated?
- How would you educate Ms. Brooks about signs of bleeding and when to notify her provider?
- What are key safety precautions you should implement while caring for her?
Self-Reflection
- What is one thing I can do to prevent adverse effects in clients on blood thinners?
- How will I recognize signs of bleeding in these clients?
Chapter 49: Drugs for Anemia & Hematopoiesis
Pre-Reading Reflection
Before reading, reflect on the following:
- What causes anemia, and how do we treat it?
- Why might someone need drugs to stimulate blood cell production?
- What labs help us monitor the effectiveness of these medications?
Fill-in-the-Blank Notes & Key Definitions
Complete the following using your reading:
- Erythropoietic drugs like ___________ stimulate ___________ production.
- Iron supplements can cause ___________ stools and ___________ discomfort.
- Hemophilia is treated with replacement of missing ___________.
- Colony-stimulating factors increase production of ___________ or ___________.
Guided Reading Questions
- How is epoetin alfa administered, and what labs should be monitored?
- What are risks of overstimulating red blood cell production?
- When is iron therapy contraindicated?
- How do you assess effectiveness of therapy in patients with neutropenia or thrombocytopenia?
Concept Mapping Activity: Anemia Medications and Growth Factors
| Medication Class | Example | Therapeutic Use | Nursing Consideration |
Clinical Scenario: Application to Nursing Practice
Case Study: Anemia Management
Mr. Lawson is a 62-year-old male receiving chemotherapy. His hemoglobin is 7.9 g/dL, and he is prescribed epoetin alfa. He asks, "How soon will I feel better?" and reports feeling very tired. His blood pressure is 152/92 mmHg, and his iron panel shows low ferritin.
- What key assessments are needed before administering epoetin alfa?
- How would you explain the purpose and expected timeline of epoetin alfa's effects?
- What risks should you monitor for after administration?
- What teaching should you provide related to iron supplementation?
Self-Reflection
- What new medications did I learn about in this chapter?
- How would I explain the purpose of epoetin alfa to a patient?
Application: Real-World Case-Based Scenarios (Integrated Knowledge)
Use your knowledge from all three chapters to respond:
Case 1: A 62-year-old male is on warfarin and has an INR of 4.5. He complains of black stools.
- What is the priority nursing concern?
- What should the nurse anticipate?
Case 2: A 55-year-old female on atorvastatin reports muscle aches and dark-colored urine.
- What adverse effect is suspected?
- What lab should be checked immediately?
Case 3: A chemotherapy client with a hemoglobin of 7.8 g/dL is prescribed epoetin alfa.
- What are important administration considerations?
- What should be monitored before and after giving the drug?
Self-Assessment & Reflection
- What drug class do I feel most confident discussing?
- What drug class do I need to review more?
- How does this information prepare me to educate and monitor patients more safely in clinical practice?
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