Which of the following medications is commonly used for afterload reduction in critical care?
Nitroglycerin
Metoprolol
Furosemide
Epinephrine
The Correct Answer is A
A. Nitroglycerin is a vasodilator commonly used to reduce preload and afterload in critical care settings. By dilating blood vessels, nitroglycerin decreases systemic vascular resistance (afterload), which reduces the workload on the heart and improves cardiac output. It is often used to manage conditions such as acute heart failure, hypertensive emergencies, and acute coronary syndromes.
B. Metoprolol is a beta-blocker that primarily acts to reduce heart rate and myocardial contractility. While it can indirectly reduce afterload by lowering blood pressure, its primary mechanism of action is not targeted at afterload reduction. Metoprolol is commonly used in critical care for various indications, including hypertension, myocardial infarction, and heart failure, but it is not primarily used for afterload reduction.
C. Furosemide is a loop diuretic commonly used to manage volume overload and reduce preload in critical care settings. By promoting diuresis, furosemide decreases circulating blood volume, venous return, and preload, which indirectly reduces afterload. However, its primary mechanism of action is not targeted at afterload reduction but rather at reducing volume overload.
D. Epinephrine is a potent sympathomimetic agent that acts on alpha and beta-adrenergic receptors. While it can increase systemic vascular resistance (afterload) at higher doses due to its alpha-adrenergic effects, it is not commonly used for afterload reduction in critical care settings. Epinephrine is primarily used as a vasopressor to increase blood pressure and cardiac output in patients with shock or cardiac arrest.
Nursing Test Bank
Naxlex Comprehensive Predictor Exams
Related Questions
Correct Answer is D
Explanation
D. Atrial fibrillation can lead to irregular and often rapid heart rates, resulting in discrepancies between the apical (heart) and radial (peripheral) pulses. In atrial fibrillation, the atria fibrillate instead of contracting effectively, leading to irregular and sometimes asynchronous ventricular contractions. This irregularity may result in a pulse deficit, where the number of apical beats exceeds the number of radial pulses felt at the wrist.
A. Different blood pressures in the upper limbs may indicate conditions such as aortic dissection or arterial stenosis, but they are not typically associated with atrial fibrillation. Atrial fibrillation primarily affects the heart rhythm rather than blood pressure distribution.
B. Differences in upper and lower lung sounds may indicate conditions such as pneumonia or pleural effusion, but they are not specific to atrial fibrillation. Atrial fibrillation primarily affects the heart's electrical activity rather than respiratory findings.
C. Differences between oral and axillary temperatures may indicate localized variations in temperature, such as infection or inflammation, but they are not specific to atrial fibrillation. Atrial fibrillation primarily affects cardiac rhythm rather than body temperature regulation.
Correct Answer is B
Explanation
B. Cheyne-Stokes respirations involve a cyclical pattern of breathing characterized by gradual increase and decrease in the depth and rate of respirations, with periods of hyperventilation alternating with periods of apnea. It is commonly seen in patients with neurological disorders, heart failure, or drug overdose.
A. Apneustic respirations are characterized by prolonged inspiratory gasps followed by a brief pause and insufficient expiration. This pattern is often associated with damage to the pons in the brainstem.
C. Stridor is a high-pitched, noisy respiratory sound caused by turbulent airflow through partially obstructed airways. It is typically heard during inspiration and is often associated with upper airway obstruction, such as in cases of croup or epiglottitis.
D. Kussmaul respirations are deep, rapid, and labored breathing patterns often seen in patients with metabolic acidosis, particularly diabetic ketoacidosis. Unlike Cheyne-Stokes respirations, Kussmaul respirations do not involve periods of apnea.
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