Flashcards Cardiology 1-5 and 16-20 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 the likely diagnosis and the potential consequences if left untreated.

• Coronary Artery Disease; may lead to heart attacks and chest pain

• Hypertension; may lead to headaches and vision problems

• Arrhythmias; may lead to irregular heartbeats and dizziness

• Heart Failure; may lead to fluid buildup and fatigue

Given a patient with abnormal heart rhythms who experiences fainting and palpitations, reason through which cardiovascular condition they are most likely experiencing and justify your answer based on the symptoms.

• Arrhythmias; because abnormal heart rhythms can cause palpitations and fainting

• Heart Failure; because it causes fluid buildup and fatigue

• Hypertension; because it increases blood pressure

• Coronary Artery Disease; because it causes chest pain

A pharmacologist is developing a treatment plan for a patient with elevated blood pressure. Using strategic reasoning, explain why managing this condition is crucial for preventing other serious health issues.

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

• Hypertension only causes mild headaches

• Hypertension leads to immediate heart failure

• Hypertension is not related to any other health risks

Analyze why understanding the cardiovascular system is essential for pharmacologists when managing conditions such as heart failure, arrhythmias, and coronary artery disease.

• Because the cardiovascular system is vital for circulating blood and delivering nutrients, and its dysfunction leads to these conditions

• Because the cardiovascular system only affects the lungs

• Because the cardiovascular system is unrelated to medication

• Because the cardiovascular system is only important for athletes

A patient with hypertension is not responding well to beta-blockers and diuretics. Using your knowledge of antihypertensive drug classes, which alternative class of drugs could be considered, and what is a representative example?

• Calcium channel blockers; amlodipine

• Nitrates; nitroglycerin

• Sodium channel blockers; lidocaine

• Angiotensin II receptor blockers; sacubitril/valsartan

A patient with heart failure is being treated with diuretics and ACE inhibitors but continues to have symptoms. Based on strategic reasoning, which additional drug class could be added to their regimen, and what is an example of a newer agent in this class?

• Angiotensin II receptor blockers; sacubitril/valsartan

• Nitrates; nitroglycerin

• Sodium channel blockers; lidocaine

• Calcium channel blockers; amlodipine

A patient presents with arrhythmia and requires a medication that targets sodium channels. Using evidence from pharmacology, which drug would be most appropriate, and what is its mechanism of action?

• Lidocaine; sodium channel blocker

• Metoprolol; beta-blocker

• Nitroglycerin; nitrate

• Amlodipine; calcium channel blocker

A patient with angina is prescribed a medication that works by dilating blood vessels and reducing cardiac workload. Which class of drugs is being used, and what is a common example?

• Nitrates; nitroglycerin

• Beta-blockers; metoprolol

• Diuretics; hydrochlorothiazide

• Potassium channel blockers; amiodarone

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 modifies electrical impulses to increase heart rate, leading to lower blood pressure.

A patient with heart failure is experiencing poor cardiac output and fluid overload. Based on the mechanisms of action for heart failure medications, describe a treatment plan that addresses these issues and explain the rationale behind each intervention.

• Increase preload and afterload to improve cardiac output.

• Reduce preload and afterload, and modulate neurohormonal systems to improve heart function.

• Increase systemic vascular resistance to improve heart function.

• Modify electrical impulses to decrease heart rate only.