If a patient's blood pressure cannot be increased by adding volume, then which of the following actions would most likely be successful in increasing it?

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

Vasoconstriction is the most likely action to increase a patient's blood pressure when volume expansion is ineffective. Vasoconstriction will increase the resistance in the blood vessels, thus increasing the blood pressure. This can be achieved naturally through the activation of the sympathetic nervous system, or through medication such as vasopressors. Blocking beta actions of the sympathetic nervous system (A) will decrease the heart rate and contractility, which could potentially lower blood pressure. Decreasing preload (B) would decrease the amount of blood in the ventricles at end-diastole, but it would not necessarily increase blood pressure. Decreasing afterload (D) would decrease the resistance in the blood vessels, which could potentially lower blood pressure.

If a Patient's Blood Pressure Cannot Be Increased by Adding