Nitroglycerin is a vasodilator used in the treatment of angina. A common side effect of its vasodilator activity is a reflex increase in heart rate, which is sometimes dangerous. Which drug could inhibit this reflex cardiac stimulation?
Correct Answer: D
Rationale: The correct answer is D: Propranolol. Propranolol is a beta-blocker that blocks the beta-adrenergic receptors in the heart, preventing the reflex increase in heart rate caused by nitroglycerin. This action helps to counteract the potentially dangerous side effect of increased heart rate.
A: Atropine is not the correct answer because it is an anticholinergic drug that increases heart rate, which would exacerbate the reflex cardiac stimulation caused by nitroglycerin.
B: Cocaine is a stimulant drug that can further increase heart rate and is not used to inhibit reflex cardiac stimulation.
C: Phentolamine is an alpha-blocker that primarily acts on alpha-adrenergic receptors and is not the preferred drug for inhibiting the reflex increase in heart rate caused by nitroglycerin.