A patient is being admitted to the emergency department with intermittent chest pain. They provide a list of daily medications.
Which medication from the list has the most immediate implications for the patient’s care?
Calcium channel blocker
Phosphodiesterase 5 enzyme inhibitor
Anticoagulant
Loop diuretics
The Correct Answer is B
Choice A rationale
Calcium channel blockers are primarily used to treat hypertension, angina, and certain heart arrhythmias. They work by relaxing the muscles of your heart and blood vessels. While they can affect heart rate and blood pressure, they would not typically have immediate implications for a patient presenting with intermittent chest pain.
Choice B rationale
Phosphodiesterase 5 enzyme inhibitors, such as sildenafil (Viagra), are used to treat erectile dysfunction and pulmonary arterial hypertension. These medications can interact with nitroglycerin, a common medication used to treat chest pain, to cause a severe and life-threatening drop in blood pressure. Therefore, it’s crucial to know if a patient is taking this type of medication when they present with chest pain.
Choice C rationale
Anticoagulants are used to prevent blood clots. If a patient is taking an anticoagulant, it could affect their clotting times and could be important if the patient needs surgery or if the cause of their chest pain is a clot. However, this would not typically have immediate implications for the treatment of chest pain.
Choice D rationale
Loop diuretics are strong diuretics that are used to treat edema and hypertension. They work by preventing your body from absorbing too much salt, allowing the salt to instead be passed in your urine. While important to know for overall patient care, they would not typically have immediate implications for a patient presenting with chest pain.
Nursing Test Bank
Naxlex Comprehensive Predictor Exams
Related Questions
Correct Answer is C
Explanation
Choice A rationale
A Ventricular Septal Defect (VSD) is a hole in the wall separating the two lower chambers of the heart. While it can cause cyanosis, it’s typically not associated with cyanosis during crying or feeding.
Choice B rationale
An Atrioventricular Canal (AVC) defect is a combination of heart problems resulting in a defect in the center of the heart. While it can cause cyanosis, it’s typically not associated with cyanosis during crying or feeding.
Choice C rationale
Tetralogy of Fallot is a congenital heart condition characterized by four anatomical abnormalities of the heart. It is the most common cyanotic heart defect and the most common cause of blue baby syndrome. Cyanosis, which is caused by a lack of oxygen in the blood, is often seen during periods of activity, such as feeding or crying.
Choice D rationale
An Atrial Septal Defect (ASD) is a hole in the wall between the two upper chambers of your heart (atria). While it can cause cyanosis, it’s typically not associated with cyanosis during crying or feeding.
Correct Answer is C
Explanation
Choice A rationale
Diltiazem does not increase the contractile force of the heart. In fact, it is classified as a negative inotrope, meaning it decreases the force of heart contractions.
Choice B rationale
While diltiazem can affect heart rhythm, it does not specifically reduce heart palpitations. Its primary effect is to slow the heart rate and relax the blood vessels.
Choice C rationale
Diltiazem is a calcium channel blocker used to manage cardiovascular conditions such as hypertension, chronic stable angina, atrial fibrillation, and Prinzmetal’s angina. It works by inhibiting the calcium influx into cardiac and vascular smooth muscle during depolarization. This results in vasodilation, or the widening of blood vessels, which can help decrease coronary artery spasms, a characteristic feature of Prinzmetal’s angina.
Choice D rationale
Diltiazem does not prevent the formation of plaque in the coronary arteries. It primarily acts to relax the blood vessels and slow the heart rate.
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