Patient was educated on Sodium Nitroprusside and its mechanism of action as follows:
- Sodium Nitroprusside is both an arterial and venous vasodilator.
- Dilation of arteries results in decreased resistance for the heart, pumping blood into the arterial system. So, more amount of blood can be pumped by the heart with reduced effort. Reduced resistance in the arteries will lead to reduced blood pressure.
- Dilation of veins results in increased capacitance, where by, the veins can accommodate more blood volume. This reduces the blood return to the heart. The reduced volume of blood return to the heart can be pumped by the heart with reduced effort.
- Sodium Nitroprusside by reducing the resistance offered by the arteries and increasing the capacitance of veins, contributes towards reducing the workload on the heart.
- These factors help an individual in cardiac failure to pump optimal amount of blood with reduced effort. Also, they help a heart function optimally at reduced blood and oxygen supply.
- So, Sodium Nitroprusside can be used to manage individuals with hypertension, cardiac failure, and prevent angina.
