In this rapid-fire episode of Think Like a Nurse, host Brooke Wallace breaks down 5 essential strategies to master heart failure medications for the NCLEX. Skip the memorization overload and dive straight into actionable, clinical judgment-focused strategies. This episode is designed to help nursing students ace priority, delegation, teaching, and adverse effect questions in record time. Whether you're on a study break or commuting, this episode will give you the tools to tackle heart failure meds quickly and confidently.
Strategy: “Check the potassium and the weight!”
Key Points:
Focus on potassium (low levels = priority) and weight (for fluid status).
Risk: Hypokalemia, dehydration, hypotension.
Action: Monitor potassium levels, assess weight, check for signs of dehydration.
Strategy: “Pulse before pill!”
Key Points:
Beta blocker; slows heart rate.
Action: Check apical pulse—hold if <60 bpm.
Watch: Hypotension, bradycardia, dizziness.
Strategy: “Potassium is the boss!”
Key Points:
Action: Monitor for hyperkalemia (especially with salt substitutes).
Risk: Elevated potassium → peaked T-waves on ECG.
Teaching: Avoid potassium-rich foods and salt substitutes.
Strategy: “Angioedema = STOP + CALL!”
Key Points:
Swelling of lips, tongue, or face = emergency.
Action: Stop the medication, call the provider immediately.
Washout period: 36 hours between ACE inhibitors and Entresto to prevent angioedema.
Strategy: “Infection down below!”
Key Points:
Increased risk of UTIs and yeast infections.
Action: Patient teaching on proper hygiene and fluid intake.
Risk: Glucosuria → infection.