Students in their first graduate level pharmacology course are confused with the recommendations for hypertension (HTN) and treatment choices after ST-elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI) and with heart failure (HF). The drugs used several years ago and still seen commonly on the acute care floors the students work are not the ones now assuming a stronger role in cardiac health issues. For one, the primary order of which meds are selected for an initial level of blood pressure control has seemed to change.
Help your fellow students by explaining the following changes.
- Which classification of drugs has taken the first-choice role in most patients with early hypertension? Is it wrong to select a thiazide diuretic or a beta blocker as was once done?
- Is there another primary choice for African American patients? Why?
- Professional Reflection
