Due to fever and confusion, an 85-year-old man is transferred from a nursing home to the hospital. When the patient arrives, he is immediately admitted to the intensive care unit with a presumptive diagnosis of septic shock. Antibiotic therapy is begun. The patient is unable to provide a history, but his caregivers report that he has been experiencing nonspecific symptoms, including fever, for a few days. There is a history of cardiovascular disease, diverticulitis, and dementia in the patient. Despite aggressive intravenous hydration, blood pressure is 60/40 mm Hg. In response to the patient's hypotension, intravenous norepinephrine is administered. Which of the following cellular changes is most likely to occur in direct response to the medication?

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

Eductional Objective: Norepinephrine activates cardiac beta 1 adrenoreceptors, increasing cAMP concentration within cardiac myocytes and resulting in increased contractility, conduction, and heart rate. The stimulation of alpha 1 adrenoreceptors in vascular smooth muscle cells and activation of an IP3 signaling pathway causes peripheral vasoconstriction.

Due to Fever and Confusion, an 85-Year-Old Man Is Transferred