ATI RN
Pharmacology Cardiovascular Drugs Practice Test Questions
Question 1 of 5
The ACE inhibitor useful in hypertensive emergencies is
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: The correct answer is A) Enalaprilat. Enalaprilat is the active form of the ACE inhibitor Enalapril and is commonly used in hypertensive emergencies due to its rapid onset of action when administered intravenously. B) Benzalaprilat is not a recognized ACE inhibitor. C) Fosinoprilat is the active form of Fosinopril, but it is not typically used in hypertensive emergencies. D) Quinoprilat is the active form of Quinapril and is not the preferred choice in hypertensive emergencies. In an educational context, understanding the correct ACE inhibitor for hypertensive emergencies is crucial for healthcare professionals managing patients with acute hypertension. Enalaprilat's fast-acting properties make it a suitable choice in these critical situations, where rapid blood pressure control is necessary to prevent complications like stroke or organ damage. It is essential for students and practitioners to be familiar with the pharmacological properties of cardiovascular drugs to make informed decisions in emergency situations.
Question 2 of 5
The nurse is assessing the client's capillary refill. A normal capillary refill time is what?
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: The correct answer to the question "The nurse is assessing the client's capillary refill. A normal capillary refill time is what?" is C) 5 seconds. Capillary refill time is an important clinical assessment used to evaluate peripheral perfusion and circulation. Normally, when pressure is applied to a nail bed or skin, it should blanch and then return to its original color within 2 seconds. A capillary refill time of 5 seconds or more may indicate compromised circulation or perfusion. Option A) Less than 1 second is incorrect because a capillary refill time of less than 1 second is too quick and may indicate hyperperfusion or inaccurate assessment. Option B) 3 seconds is incorrect because while it is closer to the normal capillary refill time, it is still faster than the expected 2 seconds, indicating potential perfusion issues. Option D) 10 seconds is incorrect as it is beyond the normal range of capillary refill time and suggests significantly compromised circulation. In an educational context, understanding capillary refill time is crucial for nurses and healthcare providers as it provides valuable information about a patient's circulatory status. Timely and accurate assessment can help in early detection of circulatory problems and prompt intervention to prevent complications. Nurses need to be proficient in this skill to provide quality patient care and ensure optimal outcomes.
Question 3 of 5
A 67-year-old woman who is a chronic smoker with chronic congestive heart failure presents to her primary care physician for follow-up. She is currently taking captopril and hydrochlorothiazide. Which of the following changes would be expected as a result of this therapy?
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: In this scenario, the correct answer is B) Increase in exercise tolerance. Captopril is an ACE inhibitor that works by dilating blood vessels, reducing the workload on the heart and improving cardiac output. This leads to improved exercise tolerance in patients with congestive heart failure. Hydrochlorothiazide is a diuretic that helps reduce fluid retention, further aiding in the management of heart failure symptoms. Option A) Increase in blood pressure is incorrect because these medications would actually lower blood pressure due to their mechanisms of action. Option C) Increase in vascular resistance is also incorrect because captopril, as an ACE inhibitor, would decrease vascular resistance. Option D) Increase in venous tone is incorrect because captopril and hydrochlorothiazide would actually reduce venous tone, helping to decrease the workload on the heart. Educationally, understanding the mechanisms of action of cardiovascular drugs is crucial for healthcare providers to make informed decisions about patient care. Recognizing how specific medications impact the cardiovascular system enables healthcare professionals to optimize therapy and improve patient outcomes.
Question 4 of 5
A 74-year-old woman presents to the ophthalmology clinic with progressive vision loss. She has noticed that her peripheral vision is worsening and she often bumps into things. Physical exam and testing confirms the presence of open-angle glaucoma. The physician prescribes a medication that decreases the production of aqueous humor. What medication was most likely prescribed?
Correct Answer: D
Rationale: In this scenario, the correct answer is D) Timolol. Timolol is a non-selective beta-adrenergic antagonist that reduces intraocular pressure by decreasing the production of aqueous humor in the eye. This mechanism of action is particularly effective in managing open-angle glaucoma, the condition described in the question. Acetazolamide (Option A) is a carbonic anhydrase inhibitor that reduces aqueous humor production but is not typically used as a first-line treatment for glaucoma. Brimonidine (Option B) and Latanoprost (Option C) work by different mechanisms, primarily by increasing the outflow of aqueous humor rather than reducing its production. While these medications are commonly used in glaucoma treatment, they are not the most likely choice based on the description provided in the question. Educationally, understanding the mechanisms of action of various medications used in treating glaucoma is crucial for healthcare professionals, especially ophthalmologists and pharmacists. This knowledge helps in selecting the most appropriate treatment based on the underlying pathology of the patient's condition. By reasoning through the pharmacological actions of each drug, healthcare providers can make informed decisions to optimize patient care and outcomes.
Question 5 of 5
Colestyramine has all the following effects EXCEPT:
Correct Answer: D
Rationale: In this question, the correct answer is D) Causes diarrhea in diabetic autonomic neuropathy. Colestyramine is a bile acid sequestrant used to lower cholesterol levels by binding to bile acids in the intestine. This action leads to increased fecal excretion of bile acids (option B) and a fall in plasma cholesterol (option A). Furthermore, colestyramine is also utilized to reduce pruritus in incomplete biliary obstruction (option C) by binding bile acids in the gut. Option D, causing diarrhea in diabetic autonomic neuropathy, is incorrect because colestyramine is actually known to be beneficial in treating diarrhea associated with bile acid malabsorption, but it does not typically cause diarrhea in diabetic autonomic neuropathy. Educationally, understanding the actions and side effects of cardiovascular drugs like colestyramine is crucial for healthcare professionals to make informed decisions when prescribing medications. Knowing the specific effects of colestyramine allows for appropriate use in patients with hypercholesterolemia or biliary obstruction while being aware of potential side effects like diarrhea in certain conditions.