Flashcards Cardiology 1-5 and 6-10 and 21-23 focused

A patient with elevated blood pressure is at increased risk for several complications. Using evidence from your knowledge of cardiovascular conditions, analyze why managing blood pressure is critical in preventing further health issues.

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

• Because hypertension only causes mild headaches.

• Because hypertension is not related to any serious health risks.

• Because hypertension only affects the lungs.

A patient is experiencing shortness of breath, fatigue, and fluid buildup. Strategically evaluate which cardiovascular condition is most likely and explain the underlying problem with the heart’s function.

• Heart Failure; the heart cannot pump effectively, leading to these symptoms.

• Arrhythmias; the heart beats too fast, causing these symptoms.

• Hypertension; high blood pressure directly causes these symptoms.

• Coronary Artery Disease; blocked arteries cause these symptoms.

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.

• Prescribe an ACE inhibitor, as it reduces blood pressure by inhibiting the conversion of angiotensin I to angiotensin II.

• Increase the dose of beta-blockers, as higher doses always overcome resistance.

• Switch to nitrates, as they are primarily used for hypertension management.

• Use only diuretics, as they are the most effective for all hypertensive patients.

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

• Add an angiotensin II receptor blocker (ARB), as it helps reduce afterload and improves cardiac function.

• Add nitrates, as they are the first-line treatment for heart failure.

• Increase the dose of diuretics indefinitely.

• Use sodium channel blockers, as they are primarily for arrhythmias.

A patient presents with a cardiac arrhythmia. You are considering antiarrhythmic therapy. Explain how you would select the most appropriate drug class, using reasoning based on the mechanism of action and the type of arrhythmia.

• Choose between sodium channel blockers, potassium channel blockers, calcium channel blockers, or beta-blockers based on the specific arrhythmia and underlying cardiac condition.

• Prescribe only diuretics, as they are effective for all arrhythmias.

• Use nitrates, as they are the mainstay for arrhythmia management.

• Select ACE inhibitors, as they directly control heart rhythm.

A patient with angina is not achieving symptom relief with nitrates alone. Using your understanding of antianginal pharmacology, design a combination therapy and justify your choices.

• Combine nitrates with beta-blockers or calcium channel blockers to achieve better symptom control through different mechanisms.

• Add diuretics, as they are the primary treatment for angina.

• Use only ACE inhibitors, as they are the most effective for angina.

• Increase the nitrate dose indefinitely.

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 identify which physiological parameters it may affect.

• It increases systemic vascular resistance and blood volume to raise blood pressure.

• It reduces systemic vascular resistance, decreases blood volume, or decreases cardiac output to lower blood pressure.

• It only increases the heart rate to lower blood pressure.

• It modulates neurohormonal systems to increase 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?

• Decrease cardiac output, increase preload, and suppress neurohormonal systems.

• Improve cardiac output, reduce preload and afterload, and modulate neurohormonal systems.

• Only increase blood flow to the heart muscle.

• Modify electrical impulses to slow the heart rate.

A patient with chest pain due to reduced blood flow to the heart muscle is prescribed a medication. Using your reasoning skills, determine which type of medication is most suitable and explain its mechanism of action.

• Antihypertensives; decrease cardiac output.

• Heart failure medications; reduce preload and afterload.

• Antiarrhythmics; restore normal rhythm and rate.

• Antianginals; increase blood flow to the heart muscle, reduce myocardial oxygen demand, or both.

A patient presents with symptoms of chest pain and shortness of breath. As a physician, how would you strategically use diagnostic tools to determine if the patient has coronary artery disease, and what evidence would guide your decision?

• Use only blood pressure measurement and prescribe medication immediately.

• Begin with an electrocardiogram (ECG) to detect arrhythmias, then use stress tests and coronary angiography to assess the extent and severity of coronary artery disease.

• Rely solely on echocardiography to diagnose all heart conditions.

• Skip diagnostic tests and recommend lifestyle modifications first.