ATI Adult Medical Surgical Related

Review ATI Adult Medical Surgical related questions and content

A patient with chronic heart failure is prescribed carvedilol. What is the primary purpose of this medication?

  • A. Increase cardiac output
  • B. Reduce fluid retention
  • C. Decrease heart rate
  • D. Lower blood pressure
Correct Answer: C

Rationale: The correct answer is C: Decrease heart rate. Carvedilol is a beta-blocker that works by blocking the beta-adrenergic receptors in the heart, leading to a decrease in heart rate. This helps reduce the workload of the heart and improve its efficiency in patients with heart failure. Choice A is incorrect because carvedilol may not necessarily increase cardiac output directly. Choice B is incorrect because carvedilol focuses more on improving heart function rather than directly reducing fluid retention. Choice D is incorrect because while carvedilol may lower blood pressure as a secondary effect, its primary purpose in heart failure is to improve cardiac function by decreasing heart rate.