The nurse administers atenolol 50 mg PO bid to a client who has coronary artery disease. The nurse understands that the therapeutic effect of this medication for this client is to:
Decrease the incidence of tachycardia
Dilate the coronary arteries
Decrease cardiac workload
Increase the strength of myocardial contraction
The Correct Answer is A
Choice A reason: Decreasing the incidence of tachycardia is not the main therapeutic effect of atenolol for coronary artery disease. Atenolol is a beta-blocker that lowers the heart rate, but this is not the primary goal of therapy for coronary artery disease. Coronary artery disease is caused by atherosclerosis, which is the buildup of plaque in the arteries that supply the heart. This reduces the blood flow and oxygen to the heart muscle and causes angina, or chest pain.
Choice B reason: Dilating the coronary arteries is not the therapeutic effect of atenolol for coronary artery disease. Atenolol does not directly affect the diameter of the coronary arteries. It works by blocking the beta receptors in the heart and reducing the response to adrenaline and other stress hormones. This lowers the blood pressure and the oxygen demand of the heart.
Choice C reason: This is the correct answer. Decreasing cardiac workload is the therapeutic effect of atenolol for coronary artery disease. Atenolol reduces the contractility and the excitability of the heart muscle, which lowers the force and the frequency of the heartbeats. This decreases the amount of work that the heart has to do and the amount of oxygen that it needs. This helps prevent or relieve anginal attacks and improve the quality of life of the client.
Choice D reason: Increasing the strength of myocardial contraction is not the therapeutic effect of atenolol for coronary artery disease. Atenolol does not increase the strength of myocardial contraction, but rather decreases it. Increasing the strength of myocardial contraction would increase the oxygen demand of the heart and worsen the angina. Atenolol aims to reduce the oxygen demand of the heart and improve the blood supply to the heart.
Nursing Test Bank
Naxlex Comprehensive Predictor Exams
Related Questions
Correct Answer is ["A","B","E"]
Explanation
Choice A reason: Pregnancy can increase the frequency and severity of sickle cell crises⁵⁶. Regular prenatal care is especially important for women with sickle cell disease⁵⁶. Therefore, it's crucial for a young female adult with sickle cell anemia to be aware that pregnancy increases the risk of crisis.
Choice B reason: Low oxygen levels can trigger a sickle cell crisis³. Therefore, avoiding travel to cities where the oxygen level is lower can help prevent crises.
Choice C reason: While regular, moderate exercise can be beneficial, strenuous exercise can lead to dehydration and fatigue, which can trigger a sickle cell crisis⁹[^10^]¹¹. Therefore, the statement that strenuous exercise prevents the development of sickle cell crisis is not accurate.
Choice D reason: Commercial airlines have controlled cabin pressure and oxygen levels, so flying is generally safe for individuals with sickle cell disease¹²³. However, it's always best to discuss travel plans with a healthcare provider³. Therefore, avoiding flying on commercial airlines is not necessarily a requirement.
Choice E reason: Dehydration can increase the risk of a sickle cell crisis, so it's important to drink plenty of fluids, especially in hot weather³.
Correct Answer is D
No explanation
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