title: Understanding the calcium channel blockers.
abstract: The widespread use of the calcium channel blocking agents provides a significant challenge to the critical care nurse. A thorough understanding of their mechanism of action and the implications of therapy is necessary to provide patients with safe nursing care.
mesh_terms: D000200:Action Potentials; D000787:Angina Pectoris / Q000188:drug therapy; D000818:Animals; D001145:Arrhythmias, Cardiac / Q000188:drug therapy; D001161:Arteriosclerosis / Q000188:drug therapy; D002118:Calcium / Q000502:physiology*; D002121:Calcium Channel Blockers / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D002147:Calmodulin / Q000502:physiology; D002312:Cardiomyopathy, Hypertrophic / Q000188:drug therapy; D003422:Critical Care; D004110:Diltiazem / Q000627:therapeutic use; D006329:Heart Conduction System / Q000502:physiology; D006439:Hemodynamics / Q000187:drug effects; D006801:Humans; D006973:Hypertension / Q000188:drug therapy; D006976:Hypertension, Pulmonary / Q000188:drug therapy; D009131:Muscle, Smooth, Vascular / Q000502:physiology; D009200:Myocardial Contraction / Q000187:drug effects; D009543:Nifedipine / Q000627:therapeutic use; D009732:Nursing Care; D011943:Receptors, Adrenergic, beta / Q000502:physiology; D014700:Verapamil / Q000627:therapeutic use
chemical_list: D002121:Calcium Channel Blockers; D002147:Calmodulin; D011943:Receptors, Adrenergic, beta; D014700:Verapamil; D004110:Diltiazem; D009543:Nifedipine; D002118:Calcium