Which data indicates to the nurse that the client's current dose of simvastatin has been effective?

Total cholesterol 198 mg/dL

Blood pressure 132/80

Serum triglycerides 172 mg/dL

Low density lipoprotein (LDL) 90 mg/dL

Answer and Explanation

The Correct Answer is D

Choice A reason: Total cholesterol is not the best indicator of the effectiveness of simvastatin, a drug that lowers cholesterol levels and reduces the risk of cardiovascular disease. ¹ Total cholesterol includes both LDL and HDL (high density lipoprotein), which have opposite effects on the heart and blood vessels. ² The normal range of total cholesterol for adults is less than 200 mg/dL, but this does not reflect the balance between LDL and HDL.

Choice B reason: Blood pressure is not directly related to the effectiveness of simvastatin, although high blood pressure and high cholesterol are both risk factors for cardiovascular disease. ³ Simvastatin does not lower blood pressure, but it may prevent or slow down the development of atherosclerosis, which is the narrowing and hardening of the arteries due to plaque buildup. ¹ The normal range of blood pressure for adults is less than 120/80 mmHg.

Choice C reason: Serum triglycerides are another type of fat in the blood that can contribute to cardiovascular disease. ² Simvastatin can lower triglyceride levels, but this is not its main effect. ¹ The normal range of serum triglycerides for adults is less than 150 mg/dL.

Choice D reason: LDL is the main target of simvastatin therapy, as it is the "bad" cholesterol that can cause plaque buildup and damage the arteries. ¹ Simvastatin works by inhibiting an enzyme that produces LDL in the liver. The optimal level of LDL for adults is less than 100 mg/dL, and even lower for those with high risk of cardiovascular disease. ² A LDL level of 90 mg/dL indicates that the client's current dose of simvastatin has been effective.

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Correct Answer is A

Explanation

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.

A. I should not experience chest pain since I am on aspirin therapy. B. The chest pain is caused by a spasm in my heart. C. Each time I have chest pain, my heart is damaged more. D. I should hire someone to shovel snow in the winter.

Correct Answer is D

No explanation

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Which data indicates to the nurse that the client's current dose of simvastatin has been effective?

Nursing Test Bank

Naxlex Comprehensive Predictor Exams

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:

Correct Answer is A

Explanation

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Correct Answer is D

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