What is the main action of anticoagulant drugs?
To dissolve the existing clots.
To transport platelets.
To act as a fibrinolytic agent.
To prevent further clots from forming.
The Correct Answer is D
Anticoagulant drugs are medicines that prevent blood clots from forming or growing larger.
They do not dissolve existing clots or transport platelets. They work by interfering with different steps of the blood coagulation pathway, which is the process that leads to clot formation.
Choice A is wrong because anticoagulant drugs do not dissolve existing clots.
To dissolve clots, you need fibrinolytic drugs, which break down the fibrin mesh that holds the clots together.
Choice B is wrong because anticoagulant drugs do not transport platelets.
Platelets are blood cells that stick together to form clots.
Anticoagulant drugs may affect the function of platelets, but they do not move them around.
Choice C is wrong because anticoagulant drugs do not act as fibrinolytic agents.
Fibrinolytic agents are drugs that activate plasmin, an enzyme that breaks down fibrin.
Anticoagulant drugs may inhibit the formation of fibrin, but they do not break it down.
Some examples of anticoagulant drugs are warfarin, heparin, and factor Xa inhibitors.
The normal ranges for some blood tests that measure the effects of anticoagulants are:
• Prothrombin time (PT): 11 to 13.5 seconds
• International normalized ratio (INR): 0.8 to 1.2
• Activated partial thromboplastin time (aPTT): 25 to 35 seconds
Nursing Test Bank
Naxlex Comprehensive Predictor Exams
Related Questions
Correct Answer is ["B"]
Explanation
This is a mnemonic to remember the common suffix of drugs that block the beta receptors in the heart and blood vessels, which can lower blood pressure, heart rate, and reduce chest pain. For example, metoprolol, atenolol, and propranolol are beta blockers.
Choice A is wrong because calcium channel blockers do not end in DIPINE.
Calcium channel blockers are drugs that block the entry of calcium into the cells of the heart and blood vessels, which can relax the blood vessels and lower blood pressure.
Some calcium channel blockers end in DIPINE, such as amlodipine and nifedipine, but not all of them.
For example, verapamil and diltiazem are also calcium channel blockers.
Choice C is wrong because ACE inhibitors do not end in ZoSIN.
ACE inhibitors are drugs that inhibit the enzyme angiotensin-converting enzyme (ACE), which can lower blood pressure and prevent heart failure.
ACE inhibitors usually end in PRIL, such as lisinopril, enalapril, and captopril.
Choice D is wrong because angiotensin II receptor blockers do not end in STATIN.
Angiotensin II receptor blockers are drugs that block the action of angiotensin II, a hormone that constricts blood vessels and raises blood pressure.
Angiotensin II receptor blockers usually end in SARTAN, such as losartan, valsartan, and irbesartan.
The normal range for blood pressure is less than 120/80 mmHg.
The normal range for heart rate is 60 to 100 beats per minute.
Correct Answer is C
Explanation
LDL cholesterol is sometimes called “bad” cholesterol because it can build up on the walls of the blood vessels and cause health problems, such as heart disease and stroke.High levels of LDL cholesterol raise your risk for cardiovascular disease. Therefore, decreasing LDL cholesterol levels can lower your risk and improve your health.
Choice A is wrong because increasing LDL cholesterol levels would have the opposite effect of decreasing them.It would increase your risk for cardiovascular disease and plaque buildup in your arteries.
Choice B is wrong because increasing HDL cholesterol levels is not enough to decrease the risk of cardiovascular disease.HDL cholesterol is sometimes called “good” cholesterol because it can move LDL cholesterol from the blood to the liver, where it is broken down and removed from the body.
However, HDL cholesterol levels alone are not a good indicator of your cardiovascular health.You also need to consider your total cholesterol, LDL cholesterol and triglyceride levels.
Choice D is wrong because decreasing HDL cholesterol levels would also increase your risk for cardiovascular disease.HDL cholesterol helps to lower LDL cholesterol levels and protect your blood vessels from plaque buildup.
Therefore, decreasing HDL cholesterol levels would reduce this protective effect and make you more vulnerable to heart disease and stroke.
The ideal ranges for cholesterol levels are as follows:
• Total cholesterol: below 200 mg/dL
• LDL cholesterol: less than 100 mg/dL
• HDL cholesterol: above 40 mg/dL for men and above 50 mg/dL for women
You can lower your LDL cholesterol levels and increase your HDL cholesterol levels by making healthy lifestyle changes, such as eating a balanced diet, exercising regularly, quitting smoking, managing stress and taking medication if prescribed by your doctor.
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