Cardiac Vascular Nursing Certification Practice Exam

Calcium channel blockers (CCBs) are primarily used to treat hypertension and certain cardiac conditions. One of the common undesirable effects associated with their use is severe constipation. This occurs because CCBs can decrease gastrointestinal motility by relaxing smooth muscle in the intestines, leading to slower movement of stool through the digestive tract. While this side effect is significant, it is also important to understand that it can affect patients’ quality of life and adherence to treatment.

The other listed options, while they may be associated with certain medications or conditions, are not typically seen as common side effects of calcium channel blockers. For instance, hypoglycemia is more related to antidiabetic medications rather than CCBs. Gout, which is a form of arthritis characterized by high levels of uric acid, is not a known direct consequence of calcium channel blocker use. Bradycardia, or decreased heart rate, can occur with CCBs, particularly the non-dihydropyridine types; however, severe constipation is more frequently reported as an effect seen in practice, making it a common and notable side effect of these medications.