Flashcards 1 -15 focused

A pharmacologist is developing a treatment plan for a patient with elevated blood pressure. Using evidence from cardiovascular system knowledge, explain why managing this condition is important and what risks are associated with it.

• Managing hypertension is important because it increases the risk of heart attack, stroke, and kidney disease

• Managing hypertension is important because it prevents muscle cramps

• Managing hypertension is important because it increases appetite

• Managing hypertension is important because it prevents vision loss

A patient with hypertension is not responding well to beta-blockers and diuretics. Using your knowledge of antihypertensive drug classes, propose an alternative pharmacological approach and justify your choice based on the mechanisms of action.

• Switch to ACE inhibitors, as they reduce blood pressure by inhibiting the conversion of angiotensin I to angiotensin II.

• Prescribe nitrates, as they are primarily used for arrhythmias.

• Use sodium channel blockers, as they are the first-line treatment for hypertension.

• Recommend only lifestyle modifications without any pharmacological intervention.

A patient with heart failure is already on diuretics and beta-blockers but continues to have symptoms. Strategically select an additional drug class from the list provided and explain your reasoning.

• Add angiotensin II receptor blockers (ARBs) to further reduce afterload and improve cardiac function.

• Add nitrates, as they are the primary treatment for arrhythmias.

• Add sodium channel blockers, as they are the mainstay for hypertension.

• Add only calcium channel blockers, as they are not used in heart failure.

A patient presents with a cardiac arrhythmia. Using strategic reasoning, select the most appropriate drug class from the options below and justify your choice based on the mechanism of action.

• Sodium channel blockers, as they stabilize cardiac cell membranes and prevent abnormal electrical activity.

• Diuretics, as they are primarily used to reduce blood pressure.

• Nitrates, as they are used for angina rather than arrhythmias.

• ACE inhibitors, as they are not indicated for arrhythmias.

A patient with angina is already taking nitrates but continues to experience chest pain. Using your understanding of antianginal drug classes, recommend an additional pharmacological strategy and justify your choice.

• Add beta-blockers, as they decrease myocardial oxygen demand and help control angina symptoms.

• Add diuretics, as they are primarily used for heart failure.

• Add sodium channel blockers, as they are used for arrhythmias.

• Add ACE inhibitors, as they are not first-line for angina.

A patient with high blood pressure is prescribed an antihypertensive medication. Using your understanding of the mechanisms of action, explain how this medication could help lower the patient's blood pressure and discuss at least two physiological changes that may occur as a result.

• The medication increases systemic vascular resistance and blood volume, leading to higher blood pressure.

• The medication reduces systemic vascular resistance and/or blood volume, leading to lower blood pressure.

• The medication increases cardiac output and preload, leading to higher blood pressure.

• The medication decreases blood flow to the heart muscle, leading to lower blood pressure.

A patient with heart failure is given a medication to improve their heart function. Based on the mechanisms of action, which combination of effects would you expect from this medication, and why are these effects beneficial for heart failure?

• Decreased cardiac output and increased afterload, which worsens heart function.

• Improved cardiac output, reduced preload and afterload, and modulation of neurohormonal systems, which enhance heart function.

• Increased blood volume and systemic vascular resistance, which strain the heart.

• Decreased blood flow to the heart muscle, which reduces oxygen supply.

A patient is experiencing abnormal heart rhythms. Which class of cardiovascular medication would be most appropriate, and what is the strategic mechanism by which it restores normal heart function?

• Antihypertensives, by reducing blood pressure.

• Heart failure medications, by improving cardiac output.

• Antiarrhythmics, by modifying electrical impulses within the heart.

• Antianginals, by increasing blood flow to the heart muscle.

A patient presents with symptoms of heart failure. As a physician, which diagnostic tool would you strategically select to assess heart function, and what reasoning supports your choice over other diagnostic methods listed?

• Echocardiography, because it directly assesses heart function and structure.

• Blood pressure measurement, because it detects arrhythmias.

• Electrocardiogram (ECG), because it measures blood pressure.

• Stress test, because it is used for weight management.

A patient recovering from cardiovascular surgery is experiencing increased pain and signs of infection at the surgical site. Using your knowledge of postoperative care, outline a strategic plan for managing this patient’s care, including pain management, infection prevention, and rehabilitation. What steps would you prioritize and why?

• Prioritize pain management, monitor for infection, and initiate rehabilitation as tolerated, ensuring all interventions are coordinated and adjusted based on patient response.

• Focus solely on pain management and delay infection prevention until symptoms worsen.

• Begin rehabilitation immediately without considering pain or infection status.

• Only monitor for infection and ignore pain management and rehabilitation needs.