A patient is admitted to the intensive care unit with a diagnosis of exacerbation of heart failure. Her heart rate is 145/minute and she is breathing rapidly; her oxygen saturation is 90% on 2 L of oxygen. She has been taking beta blockers at home for her heart failure. Which medication would be the drug of choice to increase the contractility of her heart?

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

The medication that would be the drug of choice to increase the contractility of the heart when beta blockers are being used for mainstay management would be Primacor. Dopamine will not work if beta blockers are being used at home because the needed receptor sites are being used.

A Patient Is Admitted to the Intensive Care Unit with a Diagnosis