Which of the following drugs decrease pulmonary vascular resistance?

Nitroglycerine

Sildenafil

Digoxin

Dopamine

Lasix

Answer and Explanation

The Correct Answer is B

Rationale:

A. Nitroglycerine is primarily a venodilator that reduces systemic preload and myocardial oxygen demand. It has minimal effect on pulmonary vascular resistance (PVR) and is not used to treat pulmonary hypertension.

B. Sildenafil is a phosphodiesterase-5 (PDE5) inhibitor that causes vasodilation of pulmonary arteries, thereby decreasing pulmonary vascular resistance. It is commonly used in the management of pulmonary arterial hypertension to improve pulmonary blood flow and reduce right ventricular afterload.

C. Digoxin is a cardiac glycoside that increases myocardial contractility and can slow heart rate in atrial fibrillation. It does not directly affect pulmonary vascular resistance, though it may improve cardiac output in right heart failure.

D. Dopamine is a catecholamine that primarily acts as an inotrope and vasopressor. At low doses, it increases renal perfusion, and at higher doses, it increases systemic vascular resistance, but it does not reliably decrease pulmonary vascular resistance and can sometimes increase it.

E. Furosemide (Lasix) is a loop diuretic that reduces fluid volume and preload, but it does not directly dilate pulmonary vessels or reduce pulmonary vascular resistance.

Nursing Test Bank

Test Bank #1: RN Pharmacology Exams Test Bank #2: RN Medical-Surgical Exams Test Bank #3: RN Fundamentals Exams Test Bank #4: RN Maternal-Newborn Exams Test Bank #5: RN Anatomy and Physiology Exams Test Bank #6: RN Obstetrics and Pediatrics Exams Test Bank #7: RN Fluid and Electrolytes Exams Test Bank #9: RN Adult Health Test Bank #10: RN Dosage Calculation Test Bank #11: RN Community Health Exams Test Bank #12: RN Psychology Exams Test Bank #13: RN Nursing Care Of Children Test Bank #14: RN Foundations of Nursing Exams

Get 100+ Naxlex Exit Exams for $79 Try Naxlex NCLEX-RN (14 Day Free-Trial)

Naxlex Comprehensive Predictor Exams

Exam #1: RN Comprehensive predictor 2023 proctored exam Exam #2: Ati rn vati comprehensive predictor proctored exam Exam #3: Ati Rn Comprehensive Predictor Proctored Exam 2023 Exam #4: Rn Comprehensive Predictor 2023 Proctored Exam - St. Joseph Exam #5: RN Comprehensive Predictor Proctored Exam (National U CA San Diego) Exam #6: Ati rn comprehensive predictor 2023 retake proctored exam Exam #7: RN Hesi Exit Proctored Exam Exam #8: Hesi RN Exit proctored exam Exam #9: Hesi rn exit proctored exam Exam #10: Hesi Rn compass exit B proctored exam

Free Nursing Study Resources

Correct Answer is C

Explanation

Rationale:

A. An HCO3 of 28 mEq/L is slightly elevated and may indicate metabolic compensation for a chronic respiratory acidosis, but it is not an acute complication of PEEP therapy and does not require immediate intervention.

B. A PaO2 of 79 mmHg is slightly below normal but may be acceptable depending on the patient’s baseline and underlying condition. Mild hypoxemia alone is not an emergency in a ventilated patient.

C. Hypotension is a serious complication of high levels of positive end-expiratory pressure (PEEP). PEEP increases intrathoracic pressure, which can reduce venous return to the heart, decrease cardiac output, and lead to hypotension. A blood pressure of 70/45 mmHg indicates shock or severe hemodynamic compromise and requires immediate intervention, such as fluid resuscitation, vasopressors, or adjustment of PEEP settings.

D. A PaCO2 of 32 mmHg indicates mild respiratory alkalosis due to hyperventilation, which is not uncommon in mechanically ventilated patients. It does not represent an acute complication requiring immediate treatment.

A. Nasogastric suctioning B. Overdose of sedatives C. Central nervous system depression D. Diabetic ketoacidosis E. Anxiety and fear

Correct Answer is ["B","C"]

Explanation

Rationale:

A. Nasogastric suctioning removes gastric contents, including hydrochloric acid. This loss of acid can lead to metabolic alkalosis, not respiratory acidosis, because it affects the bicarbonate-to-acid balance in the blood. It does not interfere with CO2 retention or the respiratory process, so it does not directly cause respiratory acidosis.

B. Sedatives, including benzodiazepines, barbiturates, or opioids, can depress the central respiratory center in the brainstem. When the respiratory drive is suppressed, the patient breathes more slowly or shallowly, resulting in hypoventilation. Hypoventilation leads to CO2 retention, which combines with water to form carbonic acid, lowering blood pH and causing respiratory acidosis. This is a common scenario in overdose situations, particularly in older adults or patients with pre-existing lung disease.

C. CNS depression can result from head trauma, stroke, tumors, or other neurologic disorders that impair the brain’s ability to regulate breathing. Like sedative overdose, CNS depression reduces respiratory drive, leading to inadequate alveolar ventilation, CO2 accumulation, and respiratory acidosis. This is why monitoring respiratory rate, depth, and ABGs is critical in patients with CNS compromise.

D. Diabetic ketoacidosis (DKA) causes metabolic acidosis due to the accumulation of ketone bodies, not respiratory acidosis. Patients with DKA usually hyperventilate (Kussmaul respirations) as a compensatory mechanism to blow off CO2 and partially correct the acidosis. Therefore, DKA predisposes to metabolic, not respiratory, acid-base disturbances.

E. Anxiety and fear typically lead to hyperventilation, in which the patient breathes rapidly and deeply. This causes excessive CO2 elimination, lowering PaCO2 and resulting in respiratory alkalosis, the opposite of respiratory acidosis.

View Question and Answer

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

Which of the following drugs decrease pulmonary vascular resistance?

Nursing Test Bank

Naxlex Comprehensive Predictor Exams

A patient is on mechanical ventilation with + 20 of PEEP. Which finding below indicates the patient is developing a complication related to their therapy and requires immediate treatment?

Correct Answer is C

Explanation

Which factors may predispose the patient to respiratory acidosis? Select all that apply.

Correct Answer is ["B","C"]

Explanation

A patient who has a right-sided chest tube following a thoracotomy has continuous bubbling in the suction-control chamber of the collection device. The most appropriate action by the nurse is to

Following lung resection surgery, the patient loses 350 ml of blood in the chest drainage system during the first hour post-op. The priority action for the nurse is to:

A nurse is reviewing the arterial blood gas (ABG) results of a client who the provider suspects has metabolic acidosis. Which of the following results should the nurse expect to see?

A patient has been brought to the ED by the paramedics. The patient is suspected of having ARDS. What intervention should the nurse first anticipate?

While assessing the patient, the nurse observes constant bubbling in the water-seal chamber of the patient's closed chest-drainage system. What should the nurse conclude?

When administering neuromuscular blocking agents, it is important to know that these agents provide:

A nurse is assessing a client who has a pneumothorax with a chest tube in place. For which of the following findings should the nurse notify the provider?