The nurse is administering the angiotensin II receptor antagonist valsartan. Which physiological response causes its therapeutic effect?
Chronotropic effect.
Diuresis
Vasodilation.
Sympatholytic action.
The Correct Answer is C
A) Chronotropic effect: This term refers to changes in heart rate. Angiotensin II receptor antagonists like valsartan primarily affect blood pressure and vascular tone, rather than directly altering heart rate.
B) Diuresis: Diuresis involves increased urine production. Although some antihypertensives can have a diuretic effect, valsartan primarily works through mechanisms other than increasing urine output.
C) Vasodilation: Angiotensin II receptor antagonists such as valsartan work by blocking the action of angiotensin II, which leads to vasodilation. This reduction in vascular resistance helps to lower blood pressure and is the primary therapeutic effect of valsartan.
D) Sympatholytic action: This refers to the suppression of sympathetic nervous system activity. Valsartan does not primarily act through sympathetic nervous system modulation but rather through direct vasodilation by blocking angiotensin II receptors.
Nursing Test Bank
Naxlex Comprehensive Predictor Exams
Related Questions
Correct Answer is C
Explanation
A) Increases contractility: Metoprolol, a beta-blocker, actually decreases contractility. It reduces the force of contraction of the heart muscle, which can help reduce myocardial oxygen demand and improve outcomes after ACS. Increasing contractility would counteract the therapeutic goals of metoprolol in managing ACS.
B) Increases preload: Preload refers to the volume of blood in the ventricles at the end of diastole. Metoprolol does not increase preload; rather, it reduces myocardial workload and oxygen demand, which does not directly affect preload but rather the heart's performance overall.
C) Decreases afterload: Metoprolol reduces afterload indirectly by lowering blood pressure and decreasing heart rate, which helps reduce the workload on the heart. This reduction in afterload supports the therapeutic goals of metoprolol in managing ACS by decreasing the heart's work and improving cardiac efficiency.
D) Decreases diastolic filling time: Metoprolol slows the heart rate, which can lead to increased diastolic filling time, not a decrease. Increased filling time can be beneficial as it allows the heart more time to fill with blood between beats, thereby improving cardiac output.
Correct Answer is A
Explanation
A. Hypokalemia: Hydrochlorothiazide is a thiazide diuretic that can cause potassium loss through increased urine production. A common side effect of thiazide diuretics is hypokalemia, which can lead to symptoms such as palpitations or the sensation of the heart skipping beats. Therefore, it is crucial to check the client’s potassium levels to determine if hypokalemia is contributing to the client's symptoms.
B. Hyponatremia: While thiazide diuretics can affect sodium levels, hypokalemia is more directly associated with the symptoms described. Hyponatremia (low sodium levels) might also occur but is less commonly linked to the symptom of a skipped heartbeat compared to hypokalemia.
C. Hyperphosphatemia: Hydrochlorothiazide is not known to cause significant changes in phosphate levels, and hyperphosphatemia is not typically associated with the sensation of skipped heartbeats.
D. Hypermagnesemia: This condition, which involves elevated magnesium levels, is not a common side effect of hydrochlorothiazide. Hypokalemia is a more relevant concern for the symptoms described.
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