Endocrine System Test Questions Related

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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?

  • A. Atropine
  • B. Cocaine
  • C. Phentolamine
  • D. Propranolol
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.