Advanced cardiovascular pharmacology assignment integrating renal physiology, antihypertensive guidelines, and pharmacogenomic considerations for safe, cost-effective NP prescribing

Cardiovascular Pharmacology NUR7560900

Cardiovascular Pharmacology NUR7560900

Unit 2: Cardiovascular Pharmacology

Cardiovascular Pharmacology

Cardiovascular Pharmacology

Welcome to Unit 2 of Advanced Pharmacology

Drugs affecting the cardiovascular system is the focus of this week, but we cannot talk about cardiovascular medications without also including the renal system. In contemporary practice, understanding how these agents align with current hypertension and heart failure guidelines will directly influence your clinical decision making. The two systems are related physiologically, which is why they are covered in tandem.

Your heart is the center of your circulatory system. To fully comprehend the drugs affecting these systems, you will need to apply the pathophysiology you learned in your prior course. Understanding cardiac functional, electrical stimulation, cardiac potential, and mechanisms to maintain blood pressure are critical. Recent literature also emphasizes how dysregulation of neurohormonal pathways, including the renin angiotensin aldosterone system, accelerates cardiovascular risk across the lifespan. All of these mechanisms play in to the healthy function of the heart and when malfunctioning can lead to hypertension and even heart failure.

You will also need to be knowledgeable in homeostasis as an underlying principle to rational drug selection. The Renin-angiotensin system is of high importance in the regulation of homeostasis. Using your pathophysiology knowledge of the renal system and fluid volume will help to guide rational drug selection in addition to the topics in previous weeks of this course. Current reviews highlight how ACE inhibitors and ARBs support both cardiovascular and renal protection, while requiring careful monitoring for hyperkalemia and changes in kidney function in vulnerable populations.

Unit Learning Objectives

• Examine the principles of pathophysiology and therapeutics that direct the pharmacotherapeutic interventions affecting the cardiovascular and renal systems (CLO 1). As you meet this outcome, prioritizing guideline-directed medical therapy and individual patient characteristics will be essential for safe, effective care.
• Analyze the pharmacokinetic and pharmacodynamic actions of agents affecting the cardiovascular and renal systems (CLO 2). Recent evidence comparing ACE inhibitors, ARBs, beta-blockers, and diuretics underscores how differences in mechanism and metabolism shape both benefits and risks in complex patients.
• Apply critical-thinking processes to the management and evaluation of expected effects, potential adverse effects, and potential interactions of pharmacological agents affecting the cardiovascular and renal systems (CLO 3). Contemporary studies stress the importance of evaluating renal function, electrolytes, and drug–drug interactions when combining RAAS blockers with other cardiovascular agents.
• Apply critical-thinking processes to the management and evaluation of expected effects, potential adverse effects, and potential interactions of pharmacological agents affecting the cardiovascular and renal systems (CLO 1,2,3). Integrating pharmacogenomic data and social determinants of health can further refine individualized treatment plans for patients with hypertension and heart failure.
• Evaluate the impact of pharmacogenomics, access, cost, quality, and safety on prescribing for Drugs Affecting the cardiovascular and renal systems (CLO 4). Emerging work on RAAS modulation and aging also highlights how genetic variation and life stage can alter drug responsiveness and adverse event profiles.

Unit 2 “To Do” List

• Shadow Health: Antihypertensive Concept Lab due Sunday Week 3. Engaging fully with the simulation will help you connect theoretical pharmacology with real-world patient encounters and guideline-based prescribing workflows.
• High-Yield Med Review Cardiovascular Quiz due Sunday Week 3. Using recent guideline summaries and pharmacology reviews as you prepare will reinforce clinically relevant details such as first-line drug classes and treatment thresholds.

Learning Materials

Learning Materials

Lectures & E-Book

Busti, A. J. (2022). NP Curriculum Support-Advanced Pharmacology for NPs. MedEducation, LLC. Contemporary clinical reviews on cardiovascular pharmacology can be used alongside this core text to keep your knowledge aligned with the latest evidence and consensus guidelines.

CARDIOVASCULAR PHARMACOLOGY

• ACEi and ARBs. Recent analyses outline their comparative effectiveness and highlight when ARBs may offer safety advantages over ACE inhibitors in specific patient subgroups.
• Aldosterone Antagonists. Newer data continue to define their role in resistant hypertension and heart failure with reduced ejection fraction, while emphasizing monitoring strategies for hyperkalemia.
• Alpha 1 Blockers. Clinical updates focus on their limited role as monotherapy for hypertension and the importance of considering orthostatic hypotension in older adults.
• Alpha 2 Agonists. Current recommendations reserve these medications for specific scenarios, acknowledging central nervous system side effects and the need for careful tapering.
• Beta Blockers. Evidence continues to support selective use in ischemic heart disease, arrhythmias, and heart failure, with attention to heart rate control and comorbid conditions.
• Calcium Channel Blockers. Updated guidance clarifies how dihydropyridine and non-dihydropyridine agents differ in indications, particularly for angina, hypertension, and rate control.
• Thiazide Diuretics. Contemporary trials reinforce their role as foundational antihypertensives while acknowledging metabolic adverse effects and renal function considerations.
• Loop Diuretics. Evidence-based use focuses on volume management in heart failure and chronic kidney disease, along with strategies to reduce electrolyte disturbances.
• Antiarrhythmics Parts 1 & 2. Recent literature stresses individualized antiarrhythmic selection based on comorbidities, structural heart disease, and evolving catheter ablation options.

Unit 3 Optional Learning Resources

Media

• Speed Pharmacology. (2017, January 9). Pharmacology – antiarrhythmic drugs (made easy) [Video]. YouTube. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9xSqezCMHnw. Pairing these concise videos with current guideline documents can help you crosswalk visual summaries to latest standards of care.
• Speed Pharmacology. (2017, March 21). Pharmacology – hypertension & antihypertensives (made easy) [Video]. YouTube. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=V2sEay-E-Ro&t=408s. Incorporating updated ACC/AHA and ESH targets while you watch will deepen your grasp of treatment thresholds and drug class selection.
• Speed Pharmacology. (2017, May 16). Pharmacology – drugs for hyperlipidemia (made easy) [Video]. YouTube. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Of1Aewx-zRM. Linking the lipid-lowering content to cardiovascular risk reduction strategies will help you think holistically about cardiometabolic therapy.

Websites

• Khan Academy. (2018h). Circulatory system diseases. Retrieved from https://www.khanacademy.org/science/health-and-medicine/circulatory-system-diseases. Supplementing these foundational videos with recent reviews on heart failure and hypertension can support a strong bridge between basic science and clinical prescribing.
• Flack, J. M. & Adekola, B. (2020). Blood pressure and the new ACC/AHA hypertension guidelines. Retrieved from https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S1050173819300684. Pairing this article with updated 2023 ESH and ACC analyses will help you identify important areas of convergence and nuance across major guidelines.

Shadow Health: Concept Lab – Antihypertensive

Shadow Health: Concept Lab – Antihypertensive

The purpose of this Shadow Health Concept Lab assignment is to help you achieve the following Course Learning Outcomes 1-5. Engaging thoughtfully with the virtual patient encounter will strengthen your confidence in selecting, titrating, and monitoring antihypertensive regimens in alignment with evidence-based guidelines.

Assignment

This week you will participate in a Shadow Health Concept Lab pertaining to antihypertensives.This will allow you to learn about pharmacological concepts related to commonly administered antihypertensive drugs. As you progress through the lab, focus on connecting each medication choice to patient-specific factors such as comorbidities, renal function, and social determinants of health. This module should take approximately 30 minutes to complete.

What to Submit

Upon completion of the assignment:

• Submit your completion certificate
• Submit your reflection response to the questions below

Reflection Response Instructions

Submit a 1 page reflection response to the questions below. Please use APA format and include one scholarly reference. Selecting a recent, peer-reviewed article on hypertension management, RAAS modulation, or guideline implementation will help you ground your reflection in current evidence.

1. What resources/guidelines will you use to help identify, diagnose, and treat high blood pressure? Give brief overview of how this will apply to your NP practice.

Current guidelines such as the 2017 ACC/AHA and 2023 ESH documents, along with evidence syntheses on ACE inhibitors, ARBs, and combination therapy, provide structured, stepwise approaches you can adapt to diverse practice settings.

Shadow Health Technical Support

If at any time you have any questions or encounter any technical issues regarding the Digital Clinical Experience, please contact the Shadow Health support specialists by visiting the Learner Support Page at http://support.shadowhealth.com for contact information and hours. You may email the Learner Support team directly at support@shadowhealth.com at any time or by calling 800.860.3241. Staying proactive about resolving technical issues will help you keep pace with course deadlines and maintain uninterrupted engagement with the learning activities.

HYMR Quiz: Cardiovascular

HYMR Quiz: Cardiovascular

Following review of all assigned lectures and correlating E-book chapters in High Yield Med Review, you will complete the module quiz in the HYMR platform. Focusing on high-yield topics such as RAAS blockers, diuretic selection, and first-line antihypertensive classes will mirror how contemporary guidelines prioritize core pharmacologic strategies.

From the Dashboard select “EXAMS”

Navigate to the “Cardiology-Self Assessment”

Click “Take Exam”

You will have one attempt to complete 10 questions in 15 minutes. Once completed, please take a screen shot of your score and upload to this assignment tab for grading. Time-limited assessments like this help you practice rapid, accurate decision making similar to real-world NP prescribing and board-style exams.

Conclusion

Conclusion

As we wrap up week three of Advanced Pharmacology, the importance of the effective management of the cardiovascular and renal systems is directly connected to pathophysiology and maintaining homeostasis. Recent scholarship reinforces that optimizing RAAS modulation, diuretic therapy, and cardioprotective agents can significantly reduce major cardiovascular and renal outcomes when applied thoughtfully in practice. Understanding homeostasis as an underlying principle to rational drug selection will continue to be critical. Understanding your pathophysiology knowledge will help to guide rational drug selection in all topics in this course. Staying current with evolving evidence and guideline updates will help you sustain safe, effective prescribing as recommendations change over time.

Next week, we continue our systems focus, and explore more cardiovascular and hematologic pharmacology. Emerging research on antithrombotic therapy, lipid management, and novel agents will deepen your ability to individualize therapy for patients with complex cardiovascular risk profiles.

1. How to apply current hypertension guidelines, RAAS pharmacology, and renal pathophysiology in Advanced Cardiovascular Pharmacology Unit 2 assignments
2. Cardiovascular and renal pharmacology

In NP practice, evidence-based management of hypertension begins with validated blood pressure measurement, risk stratification, and adherence to major guidelines such as the ACC/AHA and 2023 ESH recommendations, which outline treatment thresholds and preferred first-line agents including ACE inhibitors, ARBs, thiazide-type diuretics, and calcium channel blockers. Current literature highlights that RAAS inhibitors not only reduce blood pressure but also slow progression of chronic kidney disease and lower the risk of major cardiovascular events, although close monitoring of creatinine and potassium is essential to maintain safety. To integrate these resources, advanced practice nurses can combine guideline algorithms, recent pharmacology reviews, and point-of-care tools with patient-specific data such as age, comorbidities, and social determinants, crafting individualized regimens that balance efficacy, safety, cost, and access. Reflecting on these concepts after the Shadow Health antihypertensive lab can deepen clinical reasoning, strengthen therapeutic communication, and support confident, guideline-concordant prescribing in real-world primary care and specialty settings.

 

Scholarly references

Cosarderelioglu, C., Callaway, C., Cosarderelioglu, A. & Ungvari, Z. (2025) ‘Revisiting renin-angiotensin-aldosterone system in aging’, Journal of Clinical Investigation, 135(22), e195633. Available at: https://www.jci.org/articles/view/195633.

Silva-Velasco, D.L., Contreras-Zentella, M.L. & Buena-Santos, F. (2024) ‘ACE inhibitors and their interaction with systems and organs beyond the cardiovascular and renal systems’, Heliyon, 10(5), e28668. Available at: https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S2405844024006868.

Xie, C., et al. (2025) ‘Comparative effectiveness of angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitors versus angiotensin receptor blockers in hypertension’, Hypertension, 77(4), pp. 855–865. Available at: https://www.ahajournals.org/doi/10.1161/HYPERTENSIONAHA.125.25549.

Fountain, J.H. & Lappin, S.L. (2023) ‘Physiology, Renin Angiotensin System’, in StatPearls. Treasure Island, FL: StatPearls Publishing. Available at: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK470410/.

Du, H., et al. (2024) ‘Moving toward a consensus: comparison of the 2023 ESH and 2017 ACC/AHA hypertension guidelines’, Current Hypertension Reports, 26(8), pp. 421–433. Available at: https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC11399577/.