Calcium Channel Blockers - AGACNP

Calcium channel blockers reduce calcium entry through L-type channels in vascular smooth muscle and cardiac tissue. The class is not one interchangeable block. Dihydropyridines such as amlodipine, nifedipine, and felodipine act mainly on vascular smooth muscle and are often used for hypertension or angina. Non-dihydropyridines such as diltiazem and verapamil also slow AV-node conduction and decrease contractility, so they are tested through bradycardia, heart block, rate control, and reduced-ejection-fraction caution. For AGACNP, the durable question is: which calcium channel blocker effect helps this patient, and which effect could harm the patient first? This route emphasizes acute rate control, IV diltiazem/nicardipine reasoning, telemetry, shock risk, and ICU escalation. acute-care emphasis: IV diltiazem or nicardipine contexts, telemetry, hemodynamic instability, and ICU escalation.