Flashcards Cardiology 1-5 and 11-15 focused

A patient presents with chest pain and is later diagnosed with impaired blood flow to the heart muscle due to atherosclerosis. Using your understanding of cardiovascular conditions, explain which condition this patient most likely has and justify your reasoning based on the pathophysiology described.

• Coronary Artery Disease

• Hypertension

• Arrhythmias

• Heart Failure

Given a scenario where a patient experiences abnormal heart rhythms that result in fainting and palpitations, analyze the potential risks associated with this condition and explain why immediate medical attention may be necessary.

• Arrhythmias can lead to sudden cardiac death if untreated.

• Hypertension is the main risk and only causes mild symptoms.

• Heart failure is the only risk and does not require urgent care.

• Coronary artery disease is unrelated to abnormal heart rhythms.

A pharmacologist is developing a new drug to manage elevated blood pressure. Using your knowledge of the cardiovascular system, discuss why controlling hypertension is critical for preventing other serious health conditions.

• Hypertension increases the risk of heart attack, stroke, and kidney disease.

• Hypertension only causes mild headaches and is not dangerous.

• Hypertension is unrelated to any other health conditions.

• Hypertension only affects the lungs and not the heart or kidneys.

Consider a patient with shortness of breath, fatigue, and fluid buildup. Evaluate which cardiovascular condition is most likely responsible for these symptoms and justify your answer using evidence from the overview of the cardiovascular system.

• Heart Failure

• Arrhythmias

• Hypertension

• Coronary Artery Disease

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 reasoning based on the mechanisms of action.

• Switch to ACE inhibitors or calcium channel blockers, as they target different pathways in blood pressure regulation.

• Increase the dose of beta-blockers, as higher doses are always more effective.

• Add antiarrhythmic drugs, as they are primarily used for hypertension.

• Use nitrates, as they are the first-line treatment for hypertension.

A patient with heart failure is already on diuretics and beta-blockers but continues to have symptoms. Based on current pharmacological strategies, which additional class of drugs could be considered, and what is the rationale for its use?

• Angiotensin II receptor blockers (ARBs), as they reduce afterload and improve cardiac function.

• Sodium channel blockers, as they are the mainstay for heart failure.

• Nitrates, as they are only used for arrhythmias.

• Calcium channel blockers, as they are contraindicated in heart failure.

A patient presents with arrhythmia and is already taking beta-blockers. If the arrhythmia persists, which additional class of antiarrhythmic drugs could be considered, and what is the strategic reasoning behind this choice?

• Sodium channel blockers, as they target the electrical conduction system of the heart.

• Diuretics, as they directly affect heart rhythm.

• ACE inhibitors, as they are primarily antiarrhythmic agents.

• Nitrates, as they are the first-line treatment for arrhythmias.

A patient with angina is not achieving symptom relief with nitrates. Using your understanding of antianginal pharmacology, which other drug classes could be added, and what is the rationale for their use?

• Beta-blockers or calcium channel blockers, as they decrease myocardial oxygen demand.

• Diuretics, as they are the primary treatment for angina.

• ACE inhibitors, as they are the only drugs for angina.

• Sodium channel blockers, as they are used for hypertension.

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 which physiological parameters it might affect.

• By reducing systemic vascular resistance, decreasing blood volume, or decreasing cardiac output, thus lowering blood pressure.

• By increasing cardiac output and preload, which raises blood pressure.

• By modifying electrical impulses to increase heart rate.

• By increasing blood flow to the heart muscle, raising oxygen demand.

A patient presents with an abnormal heart rhythm. Using your knowledge of antiarrhythmic drugs, explain how these medications restore normal heart function and what aspect of cardiac physiology they target.

• By modifying the electrical impulses within the heart to restore normal rhythm and rate.

• By increasing blood flow to the heart muscle.

• By reducing blood volume to lower blood pressure.

• By improving cardiac output and reducing afterload.