Which drug class should not be used when a patient is taking nitrates?
Erectile dysfunction drugs.
Alpha-adrenergic blockers.
Calcium channel blockers.
Beta-adrenergic blockers.
The Correct Answer is A
Erectile dysfunction drugs should not be used when a patient is taking nitrates. This is because both types of drugs cause blood vessels to dilate, which can lead to a dangerous drop in blood pressure. This can increase the risk of heart attack, stroke or fainting.
Choice B is wrong because alpha-adrenergic blockers are sometimes used together with nitrates to treat high blood pressure and angina. They work by relaxing the smooth muscles of the blood vessels, which lowers blood pressure and improves blood flow.
Choice C is wrong because calcium channel blockers are also used to treat high blood pressure and angina. They work by blocking the entry of calcium into the muscle cells of the heart and blood vessels, which reduces the force of contraction and relaxes the blood vessels.
Choice D is wrong because beta-adrenergic blockers are another class of drugs that can be used with nitrates to treat high blood pressure and angina. They work by blocking the effects of adrenaline on the heart and blood vessels, which slows down the heart rate and lowers blood pressure.
Normal ranges for blood pressure vary depending on age, gender and other factors, but generally they are between 90/60 mmHg and 120/80 mmHg for healthy adults.
Nursing Test Bank
Naxlex Comprehensive Predictor Exams
Related Questions
Correct Answer is A
Explanation
Intermittent claudication is a condition where leg pain is produced upon increased activity and ischemia to tissues, but then the pain is reduced with rest.This is because the lack of oxygen to the muscles causes pain, and resting allows the blood flow to resume.
Choice B, sporadic ischemia, is wrong because it is not a specific condition, but a general term for reduced blood supply to a tissue or organ.
Choice C, angina, is wrong because it is a chest pain caused by reduced blood flow to the heart, not the legs.
Choice D, paresthesia, is wrong because it is a sensation of tingling, numbness, or prickling in the skin, not pain.
It can be caused by various conditions, such as nerve damage, diabetes, or Raynaud’s disease.
Correct Answer is A
Explanation
Digoxin is a medication that can help the heart pump more blood and slow down the heart rate in certain conditions, such as heart failure and atrial fibrillation.However, digoxin has a narrow therapeutic range, which means that too much or too little of it can be harmful.The therapeutic range of digoxin levels in the blood is 0.5-2 ng/mL, and the toxic level is >2.4 ng/mL.Digoxin should be held if the resting apical pulse of an infant is <90 bpm, an older child is <70 bpm, or an adult is <60 bpm.A pulse of 48/min in an adult is too low and could indicate digoxin toxicity, which can cause life-threatening arrhythmias. Therefore, the nurse should withhold the dose and notify the health care provider immediately.
Choice B is wrong because notifying the health care provider and monitoring the patient’s vital signs are not enough.
The nurse should also withhold the dose to prevent further exposure to digoxin.
Choice C is wrong because rechecking the pulse, making sure to count for 1 full minute, is not necessary.The nurse should already have counted the pulse for 1 full minute before administering digoxin, as per standard procedure.
Choice D is wrong because administering the dose could worsen the patient’s condition and increase the risk of digoxin toxicity and arrhythmias.
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