Which condition is characterized by the right ventricle of the heart failing due to increased pressure in the lungs, often caused by chronic lung disease?

Correct Answer: A

Rationale: The correct answer is A: Cor pulmonale. This condition is characterized by right ventricle failure due to increased pulmonary pressure from chronic lung disease. Step 1: Chronic lung disease causes increased pressure in the lungs. Step 2: The increased pressure in the lungs leads to the right ventricle of the heart working harder to pump blood through the lungs. Step 3: Over time, this increased workload can cause right ventricular failure, known as cor pulmonale. Summary: B is incorrect as pulmonary embolism is a sudden blockage of an artery in the lungs. C is incorrect as aortic stenosis involves narrowing of the aortic valve, affecting the left ventricle. D is incorrect as hypertrophic cardiomyopathy is a genetic condition causing thickening of the heart muscle.

Correct Answer: A

Rationale: The correct answer is A: Dilated cardiomyopathy. This condition is characterized by the heart muscle becoming enlarged and weakened, leading to reduced pumping efficiency. This results in symptoms like fatigue, shortness of breath, and swelling. In contrast, hypertrophic cardiomyopathy (B) is characterized by thickening of the heart muscle, restrictive cardiomyopathy (C) involves stiffness of the heart muscle, and myocarditis (D) is inflammation of the heart muscle. These conditions do not specifically involve the enlargement and weakening seen in dilated cardiomyopathy.

Correct Answer: A

Rationale: The correct answer is A: Coronary artery disease (CAD). CAD is the condition where the coronary arteries become narrowed or blocked, leading to reduced blood flow to the heart muscle. The narrowing or blockage is typically caused by atherosclerosis, which is the buildup of plaque in the arteries. Atherosclerosis is a contributing factor to CAD, but CAD specifically refers to the reduced blood flow in the coronary arteries. Stroke (C) is a condition involving the brain's blood vessels, not the heart. Peripheral artery disease (D) involves narrowing of arteries outside the heart, typically in the legs. Therefore, the most appropriate choice is A as it directly relates to the narrowed or blocked coronary arteries causing reduced blood flow to the heart muscle.

Correct Answer: C

Rationale: The correct answer is C because hydrochlorothiazide is a diuretic that can lead to hypokalemia (decreased potassium levels), which increases the risk of digoxin toxicity as digoxin requires adequate potassium levels for proper function. Choice A is incorrect because hydrochlorothiazide does not increase digoxin levels. Choice B is incorrect because hydrochlorothiazide can actually increase digoxin levels due to potential electrolyte disturbances. Choice D is incorrect as digoxin does not affect the effectiveness of hydrochlorothiazide.

Correct Answer: A

Rationale: The correct answer is A: For hemostasis. Alpha agonists (such as epinephrine or norepinephrine) are used for hemostasis by causing vasoconstriction, which helps in stopping bleeding by constricting blood vessels. Explanation for why other choices are incorrect: B: To dilate the arteries - Alpha agonists actually cause vasoconstriction, not dilation of arteries. C: To dilate the veins - Alpha agonists cause vasoconstriction, not dilation of veins. D: To decrease afterload - While alpha agonists can increase blood pressure by vasoconstriction, they are not typically used specifically to decrease afterload.