A patient asked the nurse what cardiac glycosides do to improve his condition.
What is the nurse's best response?
They increase heart rate.
They decrease the force of myocardial contractions.
They decrease conduction velocity.
They help renal blood flow and increase urine output.
The Correct Answer is D
Choice A rationale
Cardiac glycosides are not known for increasing heart rate. Instead, they tend to decrease heart rate by enhancing vagal tone and increasing the refractory period of the atrioventricular node, which helps in controlling heart rate, especially in atrial fibrillation.
Choice B rationale
Cardiac glycosides actually increase the force of myocardial contractions. They inhibit the sodium-potassium ATPase pump, which leads to an increase in intracellular sodium and calcium levels in the myocardial cells, thus increasing the force of contraction.
Choice C rationale
Cardiac glycosides do not significantly decrease conduction velocity. They primarily affect the contractility and heart rate but their influence on conduction velocity is relatively mild.
Choice D rationale
Cardiac glycosides improve renal blood flow and increase urine output by increasing the cardiac output and reducing the activation of the renin-angiotensin-aldosterone system. This helps in relieving symptoms of heart failure.
Nursing Test Bank
Naxlex Comprehensive Predictor Exams
Related Questions
Correct Answer is B
Explanation
Choice A rationale
Plaque formation in arteries does not start with platelets and fibrin.
Choice B rationale
Plaque begins with fatty streaks, which are the earliest signs of atherosclerosis and consist of lipid-laden cells in the arterial wall.
Choice C rationale
White blood cells are involved in the inflammatory process of atherosclerosis but do not represent the initial plaque formation.
Choice D rationale
Foam cells, which are lipid-laden macrophages, develop later in the process of plaque formation and contribute to the growth of atherosclerotic lesions. .
Correct Answer is B
Explanation
Choice A rationale
Ethosuximide (Zarontin) is used to treat absence seizures and is not suitable for emergency control of status epilepticus. It primarily works by affecting the T-type calcium channels in the brain.
Choice B rationale
Diazepam (Valium) is used in the emergency control of status epilepticus due to its fast-acting anticonvulsant properties. It enhances the effect of the neurotransmitter GABA, leading to an inhibitory effect on neuronal activity.
Choice C rationale
Phenobarbital (Luminal) is a barbiturate used for long-term management of epilepsy but is less preferred for immediate emergency control of status epilepticus due to its slower onset of action.
Choice D rationale
Phenytoin (Dilantin) can be used for the maintenance treatment of seizures, but it is less effective for the immediate control of status epilepticus compared to benzodiazepines like diazepam.
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