Digoxin (Lanoxin) is a cardiac glycoside that is among the oldest medications used for heart failure.
What are its two primary actions?
Positive chronotropy and negative inotropy.
Negative inotropy and negative chronotropy.
Positive inotropy and negative chronotropy.
Positive inotropy and positive chronotropy.
The Correct Answer is C
Digoxin is a cardiac glycoside that increases the force of heart contractions (positive inotropy) and decreases the heart rate (negative chronotropy) by inhibiting the sodium-potassium ATPase pump in the cardiac cell membranes and affecting the autonomic tone. This helps to improve the symptoms of heart failure and to control the ventricular rate in atrial fibrillation.
Choice A is wrong because positive chronotropy means increasing the heart rate, which is the opposite of what digoxin does.
Choice B is wrong because negative inotropy means decreasing the force of heart contractions, which is also the opposite of what digoxin does.
Choice D is wrong because positive inotropy and positive chronotropy would both increase the workload of the heart, which is not desirable in heart failure or atrial fibrillation.
Normal ranges for digoxin are 0.5 to 2 ng/mL for heart failure and 0.8 to 2 ng/mL for atrial fibrillation. Digoxin has a narrow therapeutic window and can cause serious side effects if overdosed or underdosed.
Nursing Test Bank
Naxlex Comprehensive Predictor Exams
Related Questions
Correct Answer is ["A","B","D","E"]
Explanation
These are all modifiable risk factors for cardiovascular disease, meaning they can be changed through lifestyle choices or medication.Cholesterol level, blood pressure, weight, and smoking all affect the health of the heart and blood vessels, and can increase the risk of developing conditions such as atherosclerosis, hypertension, heart attack, or stroke.
Choice C, family history, is not a modifiable risk factor for cardiovascular disease.
It is a non-modifiable risk factor, meaning it cannot be changed and is determined by genetics.
Having a family history of cardiovascular disease can increase the risk of developing it, but it does not mean that it is inevitable.Other non-modifiable risk factors include sex, older age, race and ethnicity.
Some normal ranges for the modifiable risk factors are:
• Cholesterol level: total cholesterol should be less than 200 mg/dL; LDL cholesterol should be less than 100 mg/dL; HDL cholesterol should be more than 40 mg/dL for men and more than 50 mg/dL for women; triglycerides should be less than 150 mg/dL.
• Blood pressure: normal blood pressure is less than 120/80 mmHg; elevated blood pressure is 120-129/less than 80 mmHg; hypertension stage 1 is 130-139/80-89 mmHg; hypertension stage 2 is 140 or higher/90 or higher mmHg.
• Weight: body mass index (BMI) is a measure of weight relative to height; normal BMI is 18.5-24.9 kg/m2; overweight BMI is 25-29.9 kg/m2; obese BMI is 30 or higher kg/m2.
• Smoking: smoking any amount of tobacco products can harm the cardiovascular system; quitting smoking can lower the risk of cardiovascular disease and improve overall health.
Correct Answer is D
Explanation
Simvastatin is a type of drug called a statin, which lowers cholesterol and triglycerides in the blood. Statins work by reducing the amount of cholesterol made by the liver, and the liver produces more cholesterol at night.Therefore, taking simvastatin in the evening can increase its effectiveness.
Choice A is wrong because changing position slowly when rising from a chair is not related to simvastatin use.
This advice is usually given to people who have low blood pressure or take medications that lower blood pressure, such as diuretics or beta blockers.
Choice B is wrong because maintaining a steady intake of green leafy vegetables is not specific to simvastatin use.
This advice is usually given to people who take anticoagulants, such as warfarin, because green leafy vegetables contain vitamin K, which can affect the blood clotting process.
Choice C is wrong because consuming no more than 1 L/day of fluid is not related to simvastatin use.
This advice is usually given to people who have fluid retention or heart failure, because excess fluid can put strain on the heart and lungs.
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