A patient is in the emergency room for a severe anxiety attack. Their doctor administers a dose of potassium to control their elevated heart rate. Why would potassium potentially be a treatment for the cardiovascular effects of an anxiety attack?
A)Excess potassium ion concentration directly signals the sympathetic nervous system to cease signaling to increase heart rate
B)Excess potassium ion concentration causes decreased rate and increased force of contraction.
C)Excess potassium ion concentration causes decreased rate and decreased force of contraction.
D)Excess potassium ion concentration signals the parasympathetic nervous system directly to lower heart rate

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

Excess potassium ion concentration can lead to hyperkalemia, which affects the electrical conductivity of the heart, potentially causing decreased heart rate (bradycardia) and decreased force of contraction. This can counteract the increased heart rate seen in anxiety attacks.

A Patient Is in the Emergency Room for a Severe