Antihypertensive Agents: The ABCs of Hypertension

Course Code: REL-ACU-0-AAAHT

Hours: 1.5

Type: Online Course

Content Expiration Date: 12/31/2026

Learning Objectives:
Discuss the goals for management of hypertension, including a review of patient assessment.
Identify medications used to treat hypertension, including their mechanism of action.
Recognize adverse effects of antihypertensive medications.
Discuss lifestyle management strategies and patient education important to antihypertensive use.

Outline:
Section 1: Introduction

About This Course

Learning Objectives

Section 2: Overview of HTN

Prevention and Early Detection

The Silent Killer

Atherosclerosis

HTN: Defining the Problem

Goals for HTN Management

Lifestyle Modifications

Initiating Therapy

Section 3: Thiazide and Thiazide-Like Diuretics

How They Work

Medications

Adverse Effects

Special Considerations

Drug-Drug Interactions

Patient Education

Section 4: Angiotensin-Converting Enzyme Inhibitors (ACEIs)

How They Work

Clinical Indications

Medications

Adverse Effects

Drug Interactions

Monitoring

Patient Education

Section 5: Angiotensin II Receptor Blockers (ARBs)

How They Work

Medications

Adverse Effects

Monitoring and Patient Education

Section 6: Calcium Channel Blockers (CCBs)

How They Work

Clinical Indications

Medications

Special Considerations

Contraindications

Adverse Effects

Drug Interactions

Special Considerations

Patient Education

Section 7: Potassium-Sparing Diuretics

How They Work

Clinical Indications

Adverse Effects

Medications

Section 8: Loop Diuretics

How They Work

Clinical Indications

Medication

Adverse Effects

Section 9: Alpha-Adrenergic Blocking Agents

Overview

Selective Alpha-1 Blockers

Selective Alpha-2 Blockers

Patient Education

Section 10: Beta-Blockers

Beta-1 and Beta-2 Receptors  

Clinical Indications

Dosing

Adverse Effects

Drug Interactions

Special Considerations

Patient Education

Section 11: Clinical Vignette

Meet Leon

Section 12: Conclusion

Course Summary

Course Contributor

Resources

References

 

Subject Matter Expert: Alia Lutz, BA, BSN, RN

Alia Lutz, BA, BSN, RN, has over 10 years of experience as a Registered Nurse with a focus on cardiothoracic, respiratory, and coronary care. She has also had experience in Med-Surg, step-down and ICU. Prior to joining Relias as a SME and Content Writer for acute care, she provided virtual education and injection training on injectable biologics to patients, reported adverse events, and was a patient advocate. She has collaborated with peers on creating job aids, writing policies, and improving quality of care and documentation. Alia received her Bachelors in Nursing from Otago Polytechnic in New Zealand in 2011.

Target Audience:
The target audience for this course is: Nurses; Pharmacists; Physicians; in the following settings: Acute Care Facility.

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To earn continuing education credit for this course you must achieve a passing score of 80% on the post-test and complete the course evaluation.

Course Delivery Method and Format
Asynchronous Distance Learning with interactivity which includes quizzes with questions/answers, and posttests.