A patient begins taking the calcium channel blocker, nifedipine [Procardia], along with metoprolol, to treat hypertension. The nurse understands that metoprolol is used to:
Prevent constipation
Reduce flushing
Minimize gingival hyperplasia
Prevent reflex tachycardia
The Correct Answer is D
Choice A reason: Preventing constipation is not the primary reason for prescribing metoprolol alongside nifedipine. While managing side effects is important in patient care, metoprolol does not have a notable effect on gastrointestinal motility to address constipation.
Choice B reason: Reducing flushing is not the main purpose of metoprolol. Flushing can sometimes be a side effect of vasodilatory medications, but it is not the specific reason for adding a beta-blocker like metoprolol to a treatment regimen involving a calcium channel blocker like nifedipine.
Choice C reason: Minimizing gingival hyperplasia is not the intended effect of metoprolol. Gingival hyperplasia can be a side effect of certain medications, such as calcium channel blockers like nifedipine, but metoprolol does not specifically counteract this effect.
Choice D reason: Preventing reflex tachycardia is the primary reason for prescribing metoprolol alongside nifedipine. Nifedipine, a calcium channel blocker, can cause vasodilation, which may lead to a reflex increase in heart rate (tachycardia) as the body tries to maintain blood pressure. Metoprolol, a beta-blocker, helps prevent this reflex tachycardia by slowing the heart rate and reducing the workload on the heart, thus complementing the antihypertensive effect of nifedipine.
Nursing Test Bank
Naxlex Comprehensive Predictor Exams
Related Questions
Correct Answer is B
Explanation
Choice A reason: There is not a 25% chance that the offspring will be a carrier. In the case of recessive disorders, if one parent is affected (homozygous recessive) and the other parent is a carrier (heterozygous), the offspring has a different probability of being a carrier or affected.
Choice B reason: There is a 50% chance that the offspring will be a carrier. If the mother is affected (aa) and the father is a carrier (Aa), each child has a 50% chance of inheriting one recessive allele (a) from the mother and one normal allele (A) from the father, making them a carrier (Aa).
Choice C reason: There is not a 75% chance that the offspring will be a carrier. The probability of the offspring being a carrier or affected follows specific Mendelian inheritance patterns, which do not result in a 75% carrier rate.
Choice D reason: There is not a 100% chance that the offspring will be a carrier. While there is a significant likelihood of the offspring being affected or a carrier, it is not guaranteed that all offspring will be carriers.
Correct Answer is C
Explanation
Choice A reason: Pain stimulation above the level of the spinal cord lesion can cause discomfort and an increase in sympathetic activity, but it is not the primary cause of an uncompensated cardiovascular response seen in autonomic dysreflexia. This condition typically results from stimuli below the level of the injury.
Choice B reason: Toxic accumulation of free radicals below the level of the injury can contribute to tissue damage and inflammation but is not the primary cause of the acute cardiovascular responses in autonomic dysreflexia. The condition is primarily triggered by noxious stimuli below the level of the injury.
Choice C reason: A distended bladder or rectum is a common cause of autonomic dysreflexia in patients with spinal cord injuries above the T6 level. This condition involves an exaggerated autonomic response to stimuli below the level of the injury, resulting in severe hypertension, bradycardia, and other cardiovascular symptoms. The distention of the bladder or rectum sends signals that the spinal cord cannot properly process, leading to an uncontrolled sympathetic response.
Choice D reason: An abnormal vagal response typically involves parasympathetic activity and can lead to symptoms such as bradycardia or fainting. However, it is not the primary cause of the sympathetic overactivity and hypertension seen in autonomic dysreflexia. The condition is driven by an imbalance in the autonomic nervous system due to spinal cord injury.
Whether you are a student looking to ace your exams or a practicing nurse seeking to enhance your expertise , our nursing education contents will empower you with the confidence and competence to make a difference in the lives of patients and become a respected leader in the healthcare field.
Visit Naxlex, invest in your future and unlock endless possibilities with our unparalleled nursing education contents today
Report Wrong Answer on the Current Question
Do you disagree with the answer? If yes, what is your expected answer? Explain.
Kindly be descriptive with the issue you are facing.