Advanced Pharmacology Test Bank Related

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The nurse administering the phosphodiesterase inhibitor milrinone (Primacor) recognizes that this drug will have a positive inotropic effect. Which result reflects this effect?

  • A. Increased heart rate
  • B. Increased blood vessel dilation
  • C. Increased force of cardiac contractions
  • D. Increased conduction of electrical impulses across the heart
Correct Answer: C

Rationale: Milrinone is a phosphodiesterase inhibitor that works by increasing the levels of cyclic adenosine monophosphate (cAMP) within cardiac myocytes. This leads to enhanced calcium influx into the cells, ultimately resulting in increased force of cardiac contractions (positive inotropic effect). This increased contractility helps improve cardiac output without necessarily increasing heart rate or affecting blood vessel dilation.