A patient who has stable angina pectoris and a history of previous myocardial infarction takes nitroglycerin and verapamil. The patient asks the primary care nurse practitioner (NP) why it is necessary to take verapamil
The NP should tell the patient that verapamil: a. improves blood flow and oxygen delivery to the heart.
b. increases the rate of contraction of the cardiac muscle.
c. increases the force of contraction of the cardiac muscle.
d. has a positive inotropic effect to increase cardiac output.
A
Verapamil decreases the force of smooth muscle contraction in the smooth muscle of the coronary and peripheral vessels; this results in coronary artery dilation, which lowers coronary resistance and improves blood flow through collateral vessels as well as oxygen delivery to ischemic areas of the heart. Calcium channel blockers do not increase the rate or force of contraction of the heart.
You might also like to view...
Which action should the nurse take when handling and disposing of patient information?
a. Keep patient information to take home for disposal. b. Use programmed speed-dial keys when faxing. c. Throw hand-written notes about the patient in the trash. d. Place fax machines in a public place.
The nurse is caring for a patient scheduled for abdominal surgery in the morning
The patient confides that he or she watched a movie last week about someone who had surgery and the anesthetic did not work, but no one knew because that patient could not move. What nursing diagnosis will the nurse include in this patient's plan of care? A) Alteration in fluid volume B) Deficient knowledge regarding drug therapy C) Fear related to paralysis D) Risk for skin impairment
A client with renal failure continues to put out adequate urine. What form of acute renal failure is the client experiencing?
A. Prerenal B. Intrarenal C. Nonoliguric D. Postrenal
Members of the staff on a hospital unit are critical of a client's family, who has different cultural beliefs about health and illness. A student assigned to the patient does not agree,based on her care of the client and family
What critical thinking attitude is the student demonstrating? A) Being curious and persevering B) Being creative C) Demonstrating confidence D) Thinking independently