Patient was educated on how to take Sotalol as follows: Take the medication at the same time every day, to avoid forgetting the medication. Maintain strict compliance with intake of the medication as ordered, with regards to dosage and frequency, to derive the benefit of the medication. Do not change the dose on this medication without consulting your doctor. Take a blood pressure and heart rate reading always before you take the pill. Maintain a [...]
Patient was educated on Sotalol and its mechanism of action as follows: Sotalol is an antiarrhythmic potassium channel blocker medication that blocks the movement of potassium ions out of the cells in the cardiac muscle. Sotalol in addition to being a potassium channel blocker is also a Beta blocker. Being a Beta blocker, Sotalol inhibits the action of adrenaline on Beta-1 and Beta- 2 receptors, and can result in slow heart rate and bronchoconstriction. Being [...]
Patient was educated on precautions to be exercised while taking Sodium Nitroprusside as follows: Sodium Nitroprusside is contraindicated in individuals with abnormally low blood pressures. Use of this medication in hypotensive individuals can result in extremely low blood pressure with reduced flow to vital organs, resulting in compromised function of these organs. So, if your blood pressures are being consistently low, with the use of these medications, report this to your physician. Metabolism of Sodium [...]
Patient was educated on precautions to be exercised while taking Sodium Nitroprusside as follows: Be aware of signs and symptoms of hypotension, to avoid any episodes of altered levels of consciousness and accidental falls. One should stay away from activities, such as, driving and operating heavy machinery, until they are used to the side effects caused by Sodium Nitroprusside. Be aware of signs and symptoms of tachycardia, as extremely high heart rate, secondary to use [...]
Patient was educated on the side effects of using Sodium Nitroprusside as follows: Symptoms of hypotension can occur secondary to arterial and venous vasodilation with reduced resistance to the contraction of heart and increased capacitance of the veins. This can reduce blood supply to distant vital organs, such as, brain and result in symptoms such as, dizziness, headache, and feeling lightheaded. Patients can present with a very rapid heart rate, as a compensatory measure for [...]
