ATI RN
Cardiovascular Drug Questions
Question 1 of 5
The client is on dobutamine. Adverse effects of Dobutrex (dobutamine) include the following:
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: In the context of cardiovascular drugs, understanding the potential adverse effects of medications like dobutamine is crucial for safe and effective patient care. Correct Answer (C - Tachycardia): - Dobutamine is a beta-1 adrenergic agonist that primarily increases heart rate and contractility. Therefore, tachycardia is an expected adverse effect of this medication. Incorrect Answers: - A) Heart failure: Dobutamine is actually often used to treat acute heart failure due to its positive inotropic effects. - B) Bradycardia: Dobutamine typically increases heart rate, so bradycardia would be an unexpected adverse effect. - D) Respiratory distress: While some cardiovascular drugs can cause respiratory issues, this is not a common adverse effect of dobutamine. Educational Context: Understanding the mechanism of action of cardiovascular drugs like dobutamine is essential for predicting their potential side effects. By knowing that dobutamine increases heart rate and contractility, healthcare providers can anticipate and monitor for tachycardia as an adverse effect. This knowledge helps in providing safe and individualized care to patients receiving such medications.
Question 2 of 5
A 63-year-old man with hypertension is currently taking carvedilol. He returns to his primary care physician for follow-up. His blood pressure is 130/70 mm Hg at this office visit. His cardiac, pulmonary, and abdominal examinations are within normal limits. Additional beneficial effects of this medication may be which of the following?
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: The correct answer is C) Improved vascular wall thickening. Carvedilol is a non-selective beta-blocker that also has alpha-blocking properties. In addition to its primary use in managing hypertension, it has been shown to have additional beneficial effects on the cardiovascular system. One of these effects includes improving vascular wall thickening. This is important in the context of hypertension because thickening of the blood vessel walls is a common complication and can lead to further cardiovascular issues. Now, let's analyze why the other options are incorrect: A) Hypoglycemia: Carvedilol can actually lead to hyperglycemia by reducing insulin sensitivity, so this option is incorrect. B) Hyperglycemia: As mentioned earlier, carvedilol can indeed cause hyperglycemia by reducing insulin sensitivity, so this option is incorrect. D) Increased lipid peroxidation: Carvedilol has antioxidant properties and has been shown to reduce oxidative stress, so it does not increase lipid peroxidation. This makes option D incorrect. In an educational context, understanding the additional benefits of medications beyond their primary use is crucial for healthcare professionals. This knowledge allows for more comprehensive patient care and better management of chronic conditions such as hypertension. By knowing the effects of medications like carvedilol on various body systems, healthcare providers can make informed decisions to optimize patient outcomes.
Question 3 of 5
Drug XY is a potent agent that mimics action of isoproterenol. As a result of this similarity in mechanism of action and function, which of the following properties will this agent exhibit?
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: In this scenario, the correct answer is C) Slow inactivation. Drug XY, being a potent agent that mimics the action of isoproterenol, which is a beta-adrenergic agonist, is likely to exhibit rapid inactivation due to its similarity in mechanism of action. Isoproterenol acts by stimulating beta-adrenergic receptors, leading to effects like increased heart rate and bronchodilation. Therefore, a drug mimicking its action would also lead to similar effects, including rapid inactivation due to the nature of beta-adrenergic stimulation. Option A) Effective when given orally is incorrect because the mode of administration does not necessarily relate to the mechanism of action or function of the drug. Option B) Low potency is incorrect as the drug is described as a potent agent, indicating it has a high potency rather than low. Option D) Slow CNS penetration is incorrect as the question focuses on the drug's mechanism of action in mimicking isoproterenol, which primarily acts on beta-adrenergic receptors in the cardiovascular system rather than CNS penetration. From an educational standpoint, understanding the mechanism of action of drugs is crucial for healthcare professionals to predict their effects, side effects, and interactions accurately. By linking the drug's mechanism of action to its expected properties, healthcare providers can make informed decisions regarding drug therapy for patients with cardiovascular conditions.
Question 4 of 5
A 57-year-old retired schoolteacher with a history of Prinzmetal angina presents to his primary care physician for follow-up. He has not had an attack in the last 6 months and wishes to stop preventative medications. Which of the following statements is true?
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: Rationale: The correct answer is A) Continuation of his medications would be helpful. In Prinzmetal angina, also known as variant angina, episodes of chest pain occur at rest due to coronary artery vasospasm. By continuing preventative medications, such as calcium channel blockers or nitrates, the vasospasm can be controlled, reducing the frequency and severity of angina attacks. Stopping these medications could lead to an increased risk of anginal episodes and potential complications like myocardial infarction. Option B) Increased blood flow to the heart worsens symptoms is incorrect. In Prinzmetal angina, the symptoms are typically triggered by vasospasm, not increased blood flow to the heart. Vasodilators are actually beneficial in this condition to prevent vasospasm. Option C) Symptoms are related to physical activity is incorrect. Unlike typical angina, Prinzmetal angina occurs at rest and is not necessarily related to physical exertion. Option D) Symptoms are worsened with worsening hypertension is incorrect. While hypertension can contribute to overall cardiovascular risk, it is not specifically linked to the pathophysiology of Prinzmetal angina. Educational Context: Understanding the management of cardiovascular conditions like Prinzmetal angina is crucial for healthcare providers to optimize patient care. Continuation of preventative medications in this case is essential to control vasospasm and prevent angina attacks. Patient education on the importance of adherence to medications and regular follow-ups is key to managing chronic conditions effectively.
Question 5 of 5
Low molecular weight heparin (LMWH) prophylaxis to prevent deep vein thrombosis/pulmonary embolism in major surgery:
Correct Answer: c
Rationale: The correct answer is C) Is more likely to be of value in an obese man of 50 than in a slim man of 30. LMWH prophylaxis is used to prevent deep vein thrombosis/pulmonary embolism in high-risk surgical patients. In this context, an obese man of 50 is more likely to benefit from LMWH prophylaxis compared to a slim man of 30 due to the higher risk of thrombotic events associated with obesity and older age. Option A) Must be started one week before surgery is incorrect because LMWH prophylaxis is usually initiated preoperatively, but the timing may vary based on the specific surgery and patient factors. Option B) Is via twice-daily intramuscular injection is incorrect because LMWH is typically administered subcutaneously, not intramuscularly, and the frequency of administration can vary. Option D) Concomitant antibiotics are contraindicated is incorrect because there is no contraindication for using LMWH prophylaxis with antibiotics. Educationally, understanding the rationale behind the choice of LMWH prophylaxis in different patient populations is crucial for healthcare providers involved in the care of surgical patients at risk for thrombotic events. It highlights the importance of individualized risk assessment and prophylactic measures based on patient demographics and clinical factors.