You are treating a patient complaining of altered mental status, shortness of breath, and chest pain. A paramedic has just administered a medication that causes the sympathetic nervous system to increase its influence in the body. Which one of the following actions should you anticipate?

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

The sympathetic nervous system plays a role in increasing heart rate, which would be the expected response to a medication that activates it. Shortness of breath and chest pain may indicate underlying cardiac issues, further supporting the likelihood of an increased heart rate. The medication is not described as affecting blood pressure, so a decrease in blood pressure would not be anticipated.

You Are Treating a Patient Complaining of Altered Mental Status