ATI RN
Cardiovascular Drugs PDF Questions
Question 1 of 5
A nurse instructs a patient taking a drug that inhibits monoamine oxidase (MAO) to avoid certain foods and drugs because of the risk of:
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: Rationale for Correct Answer (C): MAO inhibitors prevent the breakdown of monoamines, leading to increased levels of norepinephrine and tyramine. Ingesting tyramine-rich foods or drugs can cause a sudden and dangerous rise in blood pressure, resulting in a hypertensive crisis. This is because tyramine displaces norepinephrine, leading to excessive vasoconstriction and increased blood pressure. Incorrect Choices: A: Cardiac dysrhythmia is not directly associated with MAO inhibitors. B: Hypotensive shock is contradictory as MAO inhibitors increase blood pressure. D: Cardiogenic shock is not a typical risk associated with MAO inhibitors.
Question 2 of 5
A patient is to receive local anesthesia for removal of a lymph node from his armpit. The physician asks for a solution of premixed lidocaine and epinephrine. The nurse knows that the epinephrine is used for which reason?
Correct Answer: D
Rationale: The correct answer is D because epinephrine is added to lidocaine to vasoconstrict blood vessels, keeping the anesthetic at its local site of action and decreasing incisional bleeding. This helps prolong the duration of anesthesia and reduces the risk of systemic toxicity. A: Incorrect. Epinephrine does not prevent an anaphylactic reaction; it is added for vasoconstrictive effects. B: Incorrect. The anesthetic does not enhance the effect of epinephrine. They have separate roles. C: Incorrect. Epinephrine does not contribute to a balanced anesthetic state; it primarily acts on blood vessels.
Question 3 of 5
The nurse is reviewing drug therapy for hypertension. According to the JNC 7 guidelines, antihypertensive drug therapy for a newly diagnosed stage 1 hypertensive African-American patient would most likely include which drug or drug classes?
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: The correct answer is C: Calcium channel blockers with thiazide diuretics. This combination is recommended for African-American patients with hypertension according to the JNC 7 guidelines. Calcium channel blockers are effective in this population due to their ability to improve blood pressure control. Thiazide diuretics are also effective and can further reduce blood pressure when combined with calcium channel blockers. Choice A (Vasodilators alone) is not typically recommended as first-line therapy. Choice B (ACE inhibitors alone) may be less effective in African-American patients. Choice D (Beta blockers with thiazide diuretics) is not the preferred combination for this patient population based on current guidelines.
Question 4 of 5
The nurse notes in the patient’s medication orders that the patient will be starting anticoagulant therapy. What is the primary goal of anticoagulant therapy?
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: The correct answer is C: Preventing thrombus formation. Anticoagulant therapy works by inhibiting the formation of blood clots, preventing thrombus formation. This is crucial in conditions like atrial fibrillation or deep vein thrombosis to reduce the risk of clot formation and subsequent embolism. Stabilizing an existing thrombus (A) or dissolving it (B) are typically managed with other medications like antiplatelet or thrombolytic agents. Dilating the vessel around a clot (D) is not the primary goal of anticoagulant therapy.
Question 5 of 5
The nurse will assess the patient for which potential contraindication to antitubercular therapy?
Correct Answer: D
Rationale: The correct answer is D, Hepatic impairment. Antitubercular drugs are primarily metabolized by the liver, so hepatic impairment can affect drug metabolism, leading to toxicity or reduced efficacy. Glaucoma (A), anemia (B), and heart failure (C) are not direct contraindications to antitubercular therapy. Glaucoma does not affect drug metabolism, anemia does not interfere with drug efficacy, and heart failure does not directly impact antitubercular drugs' effectiveness.