Question 1

Which of the following drugs used for heart failure must be shielded from heat or light to maintain stability?

Accepted Answer

Nitroprusside must be protected from light to prevent degradation and maintain its stability.

Question 2

Which of the following is the agent of choice for relief of anginal pain?

Accepted Answer

Nitroglycerin is the agent of choice for relief of anginal pain as it is a fast-acting vasodilator that improves coronary blood flow and reduces myocardial oxygen demand. Nitroprusside is also a potent vasodilator, but it is not typically used as first-line therapy for anginal pain. Dopamine and Levophed are not used for the relief of anginal pain as they are primarily used for the treatment of hypotension and shock.

Question 3

Which of the following is not considered a cause of arrhythmias?

Accepted Answer

Pacemaker origination in the SA node is a normal physiological process and is not considered a cause of arrhythmias. The other options listed (A, B, and D) are all known causes of arrhythmias.

Question 4

Which of the following drugs is a phosphodiesterase inhibitor that results in increased vascular smooth muscle contraction and increased heart contractility?

Accepted Answer

Milrinone is a phosphodiesterase inhibitor that results in increased vascular smooth muscle contraction and increased heart contractility. Dobutamine and dopamine act as beta-adrenergic agonists to increase heart contractility, but do not affect vascular smooth muscle contraction. Aldactone is a potassium-sparing diuretic that does not affect heart contractility or vascular smooth muscle contraction.

Question 5

ACE inhibitors are used to reduce the work of the heart by:

Accepted Answer

ACE inhibitors work by inhibiting the formation of angiotensin II, a potent vasoconstrictor. This leads to vasodilation, which reduces the work of the heart by decreasing peripheral resistance and blood pressure. Correcting an electrolyte imbalance, improving cardiac contractility, or slowing the heart rate is not the primary mechanism of action for ACE inhibitors.

Question 6

Diuretic therapy is used in patients with heart failure for which of the following reasons?

Accepted Answer

Diuretic therapy is used to reduce excess fluid retention in patients with heart failure, which increases the workload of the heart. This reduces symptoms such as dyspnea, edema, and fatigue. Diuretics do not directly increase cardiac output or decrease vasoconstriction. Additionally, diuretics do not treat hyperkalemia but can cause hypokalemia if used excessively.

Question 7

Which of the following antiarrhythmic drugs causes an increase in total calcium,resulting in an increase in the contractility of the heart?

Accepted Answer

Digoxin causes an increase in total calcium, leading to an increase in the contractility of the heart.

Question 8

The role of the kidneys in cardiac function includes all of the following except the:

Accepted Answer

The kidneys are not directly involved in maintaining oxygen balance in the body. However, they do indirectly contribute to it by maintaining fluid and electrolyte balance, which can affect blood volume and oxygen delivery to tissues.

Question 9

Which of the following medications results in increased contractility of the heart?

Accepted Answer

The answer of Which of the following medications results in...

Question 10

Amrinone is classified as which of the following?

Accepted Answer

Amrinone is a phosphodiesterase inhibitor that works by increasing intracellular levels of cAMP, leading to increased contractility and vasodilation. It is used in the treatment of heart failure.

Question 11

In heart failure,all of the following conditions can occur except:

Accepted Answer

In heart failure, the kidneys may become less effective at removing fluid, leading to fluid retention and symptoms such as ankle edema and pulmonary edema. The heart may also become enlarged as it tries to compensate for decreased function. However, increased fluid removal by the kidneys would be unlikely in this condition.

Question 12

Carvedilol (Coreg)is an example of:

Accepted Answer

Carvedilol is a beta blocker used to treat hypertension, heart failure, and to improve survival after a heart attack. It works by blocking the effect of adrenaline and other stress hormones on the heart and blood vessels, which can lower blood pressure and decrease the heart's workload.

Question 13

A common supraventricular arrhythmia is:

Accepted Answer

Atrial fibrillation is a common supraventricular arrhythmia that arises from the atria and is characterized by irregular and rapid heartbeat. It can lead to complications such as stroke and heart failure if left untreated. Torsades de pointes, premature ventricular contractions, and ventricular fibrillation are all ventricular arrhythmias that originate from the ventricles.

Question 14

The normal pacemaker for the electrical conduction system of the heart is which of the following?

Accepted Answer

The sinoatrial (SA) node is the normal pacemaker of the heart. It is responsible for initiating the electrical impulses that regulate the heart rate. The atrioventricular (AV) node is involved in transmitting the impulses from the atria to the ventricles, but it is not the primary pacemaker. Parasympathetic and sympathetic nerves can influence the rate of the heart, but they are not the normal pacemaker.

Question 15

Vasodilators that are used to decrease the afterload forces on the heart include all the following except:

Accepted Answer

Digoxin is a positive inotrope that increases contractility of the heart, but does not have any vasodilatory effects. The other three choices (A, B, and D) are all vasodilators that are used to decrease afterload forces on the heart.

Question 16

All of the following ions are influential in the conduction system of the heart except:

Accepted Answer

Magnesium is not directly involved in the conduction system of the heart. Sodium, potassium, and calcium ions are all important in generating and transmitting electrical impulses in the heart.

Question 17

Cardiac cells can become excited in which of the following situations? I)Oxygen deficit
II)Electrolyte imbalance
III)Ischemia

Accepted Answer

Cardiac cells can become excited under various pathological conditions including oxygen deficit (hypoxia), electrolyte imbalance (such as alterations in potassium, calcium, or sodium levels), and ischemia (reduced blood flow). These conditions can disrupt the normal electrical activity of the heart, leading to arrhythmias or other cardiac dysfunctions.

Question 18

Beneficial effects of ACE inhibitors for the treatment of heart failure include which of the following?
 I)Decrease in pulmonary capillary wedge pressure
II)Control of the ventricular rate
III)Decrease in systemic vascular resistance

Accepted Answer

ACE inhibitors work to decrease pulmonary capillary wedge pressure and systemic vascular resistance, but they do not directly control ventricular rate. Control of ventricular rate would be achieved through other treatments such as beta blockers. Therefore, choices I and III are correct, while II is incorrect. This makes choice B the correct answer.

Question 19

Which of the following is a ventricular arrhythmia?

Accepted Answer

Torsade de pointes is a type of ventricular arrhythmia characterized by a twisting of the QRS complex on an electrocardiogram (ECG). Supraventricular tachycardia, atrial flutter, and atrial fibrillation are not ventricular arrhythmias, but rather involve the atria of the heart.

Question 20

Treatment of acute coronary syndrome with non-ST-segment elevation would involve which of the following medications?

Accepted Answer

The medication Plavix (clopidogrel) is a platelet inhibitor that is commonly used in the treatment of acute coronary syndrome with non-ST-segment elevation. Lovastatin, niacin, and Zetia are not indicated for the treatment of acute coronary syndrome.

Quiz 9: Cardiac Agents