A patient who has had recent myocardial infarction has been placed on a beta blocker. The nurse recognizes that the main purpose of the beta blocker for this patient is to:

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

Beta blockers are also considered to be cardioprotective because they inhibit stimulation of the myocardium by circulating catecholamines. Myocardial infarction causes catecholamines to be released. Unopposed stimulation by catecholamines would further increase the heart rate and the contractile force and thereby increase myocardial oxygen demand. When a beta blocker occupies myocardial beta₁receptors, circulating catecholamine molecules are prevented from binding to the receptors. Thus, the beta blockers protect the heart from being stimulated by these catecholamines. The other responses are incorrect.

A Patient Who Has Had Recent Myocardial Infarction Has Been