A patient with cardiovascular disease is being treated with amlodipine (Norvasc), a calcium channel blocking agent. The therapeutic effects of calcium channel blockers include which of the following?
A) Reducing the heart's workload by decreasing heart rate and myocardial contraction
B) Preventing platelet aggregation and subsequent thrombosis
C) Reducing myocardial oxygen consumption by blocking adrenergic stimulation to the heart
D) Increasing the efficiency of myocardial oxygen consumption, thus decreasing ischemia and relieving pain
Ans: A
Feedback:
Calcium channel blocking agents decrease sinoatrial node automaticity and atrioventricular node conduction, resulting in a slower heart rate and a decrease in the strength of the heart muscle contraction. These effects decrease the workload of the heart. Antiplatelet and anticoagulation medications are administered to prevent platelet aggregation and subsequent thrombosis, which impedes blood flow. Beta-blockers reduce myocardial consumption by blocking beta-adrenergic sympathetic stimulation to the heart. The result is reduced myocardial contractility (force of contraction) to balance the myocardium oxygen needs and supply. Nitrates reduce myocardial oxygen consumption, which decreases ischemia and relieves pain by dilating the veins and, in higher doses, the arteries.
You might also like to view...
A patient with a recent diagnosis of asthma is anxious because she experienced an asthma attack and was unable to relieve the symptoms despite taking several puffs of her prescribed salmeterol (Serevent)
How should the nurse respond to the patient's concerns? A) "Remember that your Serevent isn't effective when you take it at the time of an asthma attack." B) "It's important to take your Serevent as soon as you feel the first sensation of an asthma attack." C) "Unfortunately, Serevent can take up to 15 minutes to relieve your difficulty breathing." D) "It's best to take repeated doses of Serevent, every 5 minutes, until your symptoms subside."
The nurse plans a fall prevention program for a confused patient. Which task from the program is suitable for the nurse to delegate to nursing assistive personnel (NAP)?
a. Evaluating patient understanding of fall prevention plan b. Keeping the patient's bed in the low posi-tion at all times c. Assessing the patient's circulatory and respiratory status d. Instructing the patient's family about al-ternatives to restraints
A nurse is caring for an infant who is postoperative following cardiac surgery. What is the most common postoperative complication found in this age group?
A) Respiratory complications B) Circulatory complications C) Infection D) Renal complications
A client is prescribed ticlopidine (Ticlid) after a myocardial infarction and stent placement. How should the nurse explain the action of this medication to the client?
Standard Text: Select all that apply. 1. "Ticlid will dissolve any clots that might form in your stent." 2. "Ticlid will make the platelets in your blood less sticky." 3. "Ticlid will change the way your platelets work their entire lives." 4. "Ticlid decreases your blood's ability to clot." 5. "Ticlid works just like the heparin you have been on in the hospital."