Cardiovascular Drugs: Pharmacology for Nurses

Question 1

In a patient who has recently experienced an ischemic stroke, why is a thienopyridine antiplatelet drug prescribed? Explain its mechanism of action.

Accepted Answer

Thienopyridines irreversibly block the P2Y12 ADP receptor on platelets, preventing platelet activation and aggregation.

Answer

Thienopyridines increase prostacyclin production, reducing platelet adhesion.

Answer

Thienopyridines inhibit thrombin formation, preventing platelet activation.

Answer

Thienopyridines block calcium channels on platelets, preventing platelet activation.

Question 2

In anticoagulant therapy, which nursing implication is crucial?

Accepted Answer

Vigilantly monitor for signs of bleeding

Answer

Administer anticoagulants only by subcutaneous injection

Answer

Promote increased fluid intake to reduce drug concentration

Answer

Monitor platelet count regularly

Question 3

Which of the following is a calcium channel blocker used to treat hypertension?

Accepted Answer

Amlodipine

Answer

Atenolol

Answer

Digoxin

Answer

Warfarin

Question 4

What is the primary mechanism of action of beta-blockers in treating hypertension?

Accepted Answer

Reduce heart rate and contractility

Answer

Increase myocardial oxygen demand

Answer

Dilate blood vessels

Answer

Enhance conduction velocity

Question 5

Which of the following is a potential adverse effect of thiazide diuretics?

Accepted Answer

Hypokalemia

Answer

Tachycardia

Answer

Bradycardia

Answer

Hyperglycemia

Question 6

How do ACE inhibitors primarily work to treat hypertension?

Accepted Answer

Inhibit angiotensin-converting enzyme (ACE)

Answer

Block beta-adrenergic receptors

Answer

Increase sodium excretion

Answer

Dilate blood vessels

Question 7

Which of the following drugs is commonly used to dissolve blood clots?

Accepted Answer

Streptokinase

Answer

Digoxin

Answer

Warfarin

Answer

Amlodipine

Question 8

What is the most common side effect associated with nitroglycerin use?

Accepted Answer

Headache

Answer

Bradycardia

Answer

Tachycardia

Answer

Nausea

Question 9

How does intravenous nitroglycerin primarily affect preload and afterload, and what is its impact on cardiac output?

Accepted Answer

Increases preload, decreases afterload, increases cardiac output

Answer

Decreases preload, increases afterload, decreases cardiac output

Answer

Increases preload, increases afterload, increases cardiac output

Question 10

How do ACE inhibitors work, and why are they important in treating heart failure?

Accepted Answer

ACE inhibitors block the conversion of angiotensin I to angiotensin II, a potent vasoconstrictor. This leads to vasodilation and reduced blood pressure, which is beneficial in heart failure.

Answer

ACE inhibitors increase nitric oxide production, which relaxes blood vessels and lowers blood pressure.

Answer

ACE inhibitors block beta-adrenergic receptors in the heart, decreasing heart rate and contractility.

Answer

ACE inhibitors have no effect on the cardiovascular system.

Question 11

Which antihypertensive drug class primarily decreases peripheral vascular resistance?

Accepted Answer

Calcium channel blockers

Answer

ACE inhibitors

Answer

Beta-blockers

Answer

Diuretics

Question 12

Which condition precludes the use of digoxin?

Accepted Answer

Sick sinus syndrome

Answer

Hyperthyroidism

Answer

Hepatic impairment

Answer

Renal insufficiency

Question 13

As a nurse, your primary action when administering nitroglycerin for angina is to:

Accepted Answer

Monitor the patient's blood pressure

Answer

Administer aspirin as needed

Answer

Position the patient supine

Answer

Encourage coughing and deep breathing

Question 14

Metoprolol's mechanism of action involves:

Accepted Answer

Beta-1 receptor blockade

Answer

Calcium channel blockade

Answer

ACE inhibition

Answer

Diuretic activity

Question 15

Which condition necessitates furosemide use?

Accepted Answer

Congestive heart failure

Answer

Hypertension

Answer

Angina pectoris

Answer

Arrhythmias

Question 16

The primary nursing responsibility when administering a vasodilator is:

Accepted Answer

Monitoring for hypotension

Answer

Encouraging fluid intake

Answer

Educating about compliance

Answer

Assessing for infection

Question 17

Dopamine is classified as an:

Accepted Answer

Inotropic agent

Answer

Vasodilator

Answer

Antianginal

Answer

Diuretic

Question 18

What is the primary mechanism through which beta-blockers exert their pharmacological effects?

Accepted Answer

Blockage of beta-adrenergic receptors

Answer

Inhibition of calcium channels

Answer

Blockage of alpha-adrenergic receptors

Answer

Activation of sodium-potassium pumps

Question 19

Which of the following adverse effects is commonly associated with digoxin therapy?

Accepted Answer

Bradycardia

Answer

Tachycardia

Answer

Hypotension

Answer

Hyperglycemia

Question 20

When administering nitroglycerin, which nursing intervention is of primary importance?

Accepted Answer

Monitoring for hypotension

Answer

Positioning the patient upright

Answer

Administering with food

Answer

Withholding the medication if the patient has a headache

Question 21

In which clinical scenario is the use of calcium channel blockers generally contraindicated?

Accepted Answer

Bradycardia

Answer

Heart failure

Answer

Hypertension

Answer

Asthma

Question 22

What is the primary mode of action by which diuretics exert their therapeutic effects?

Accepted Answer

Decreasing sodium reabsorption

Answer

Increasing sodium reabsorption

Answer

Inhibiting renin release

Answer

Blocking aldosterone receptors

Question 23

To treat atrial fibrillation, which type of antiarrhythmic drug is typically employed?

Accepted Answer

Class III

Answer

Class I

Answer

Class II

Answer

Class IV

Question 24

For a patient experiencing symptoms of heart failure, which nursing action is of utmost importance?

Accepted Answer

Monitoring for signs and symptoms of fluid overload

Answer

Administering oxygen as deemed necessary

Answer

Adjusting diuretic doses to maintain a target urine output

Answer

Educating the patient on dietary restrictions

Question 25

Which medication is primarily used to alleviate angina?

Accepted Answer

Nitroglycerin

Answer

Atenolol

Answer

Digoxin

Answer

Warfarin

Question 26

What potential adverse effect should be closely monitored when administering verapamil intravenously?

Accepted Answer

Bradycardia

Answer

Hypotension

Answer

Hypertension

Answer

Tachycardia

Question 27

Which of the following mechanisms of action is NOT shared by antihypertensive medications?

Accepted Answer

Vasoconstriction

Answer

Diuresis

Answer

Vasodilation

Answer

Inhibition of angiotensin-converting enzyme

Question 28

Which of the following drugs is a commonly prescribed beta-blocker?

Accepted Answer

Metoprolol

Answer

Captopril

Answer

Digoxin

Answer

Amiodarone

Question 29

When administering digoxin to a patient with heart failure, which assessment is most critical to monitor?

Accepted Answer

Serum digoxin level

Answer

Heart rate

Answer

Blood pressure

Answer

Respiratory status

Question 30

Which of the following conditions is a contraindication for using calcium channel blockers?

Accepted Answer

Bradycardia

Answer

Hypertension

Answer

Heart failure

Answer

Arrhythmias

Question 31

What is the main objective of antiarrhythmic medications?

Accepted Answer

Preventing or correcting irregular heartbeats

Answer

Lowering blood pressure

Answer

Improving heart contractility

Answer

Reducing cholesterol levels

Question 32

What is the primary mechanism of action for diuretics?

Accepted Answer

Inhibition of sodium reabsorption in the kidneys

Answer

Blocking of calcium channels in the heart

Answer

Stimulation of beta-adrenergic receptors

Answer

Reduction of sympathetic tone

Question 33

What is the primary responsibility of nurses in monitoring anticoagulant therapy?

Accepted Answer

Assessing for bleeding and clotting

Answer

Educating patients about medication administration

Answer

Monitoring blood pressure and heart rate

Answer

Performing electrocardiograms

Question 34

Which of the following medications is specifically used to treat pulmonary hypertension?

Accepted Answer

Sildenafil

Answer

Warfarin

Answer

Propranolol

Answer

Lisinopril

Question 35

What is the primary mechanism of action of calcium antagonists?

Accepted Answer

Blocking voltage-gated calcium channels in the myocardium

Answer

Enhancing the reuptake of norepinephrine

Answer

Stimulating the release of nitric oxide

Question 36

When administering beta-blockers, which nursing implication is **specific** to patients with heart failure, compared to those with hypertension?

Accepted Answer

Assess for signs and symptoms of worsening heart failure, such as shortness of breath and edema.

Answer

Monitor for hypotension.

Question 37

What is the primary mechanism of action of ACE inhibitors?

Accepted Answer

Inhibition of angiotensin-converting enzyme (ACE)

Answer

Blockade of calcium channels

Answer

Activation of beta-adrenergic receptors

Question 38

Which of the following is an absolute contraindication for beta-blockers?

Accepted Answer

Second- or third-degree heart block

Answer

Tachycardia

Answer

Hypertension

Answer

Heart failure

Question 39

Which adverse effect is most frequently associated with diuretics?

Accepted Answer

Hypokalemia

Answer

Hyperglycemia

Answer

Hypotension

Answer

Nausea

Question 40

What is the primary rationale for using vasodilators in the treatment of cardiovascular conditions?

Accepted Answer

Reducing preload and afterload

Answer

Increasing heart rate

Answer

Constricting blood vessels

Answer

Increasing contractility

Question 41

What is the main mechanism of action of thrombolytic drugs?

Accepted Answer

Activation of plasminogen

Answer

Dilation of blood vessels

Answer

Inhibition of platelet aggregation

Question 42

What is a primary nursing intervention for patients receiving anticoagulants?

Accepted Answer

Monitoring the patient for signs and symptoms of bleeding

Answer

Administering the medication on an empty stomach

Answer

Measuring the patient's blood pressure before each dose

Question 43

Which drug is known to potentially interact with digoxin?

Accepted Answer

Quinidine

Answer

Warfarin

Answer

Lasix

Answer

Propranolol

Question 44

A patient with hypertension is taking a beta-blocker. Which of the following adverse effects should the nurse monitor for?

Accepted Answer

Bradycardia

Answer

Increased appetite

Answer

Hypertension

Answer

Tachycardia

Question 45

A patient with heart failure is taking digoxin. Which of the following nursing interventions is essential to prevent digoxin toxicity?

Accepted Answer

Monitoring serum digoxin levels regularly

Answer

Administering the medication with food

Answer

Monitoring blood pressure every 4 hours

Answer

Encouraging increased fluid intake

Question 46

Which antiarrhythmic medication is most commonly used to treat atrial fibrillation?

Accepted Answer

Amiodarone

Answer

Furosemide

Answer

Enalapril

Answer

Nitroglycerin

Question 47

A patient with hypertension is taking an ACE inhibitor. The nurse should monitor for which of the following potential adverse effects?

Accepted Answer

Hyperkalemia

Answer

Hypokalemia

Answer

Hypoglycemia

Answer

Hypotension

Question 48

Which of the following is an example of a calcium channel blocker used to treat hypertension?

Accepted Answer

Amlodipine

Answer

Metoprolol

Answer

Lisinopril

Answer

Atenolol

Question 49

What is the primary mechanism of action of nitroglycerin in the treatment of angina?

Accepted Answer

Vasodilation

Answer

Cardiac stimulation

Answer

Blood thinning

Answer

Bronchodilation

Question 50

Which of the following is a common side effect of diuretic therapy in heart failure management?

Accepted Answer

Hypokalemia

Answer

Hyperkalemia

Answer

Hyperglycemia

Question 51

Which of the following medications is an antiplatelet agent used to prevent blood clots?

Accepted Answer

Aspirin

Answer

Digoxin

Answer

Warfarin

Answer

Heparin

Question 52

A patient taking a statin medication to lower cholesterol levels should be instructed to:

Accepted Answer

Report any muscle aches or weakness

Answer

Increase dietary intake of saturated fat

Answer

Take the medication with grapefruit juice

Answer

Discontinue the medication if experiencing any side effects