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.
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The pregnant patient tells the nurse that her prescribed medication is not as effective as it was before her pregnancy. What is the best response by the nurse?
- A. This is because your blood volume has increased
- B. Tell me how you have been taking your medication
- C. This is because your baby is receiving part of the medication
- D. Maybe the medication has expired; check the label
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: Pregnancy increases blood volume (50% more), diluting drugs, reducing efficacy-e.g., lower concentration per unit volume, a pharmacokinetic shift. Asking about administration checks adherence, not cause. Baby receiving drug is unlikely-placental transfer varies. Expiration is a guess, not tied to pregnancy. Blood volume explains the change, addressing her concern.
A 48-year-old woman pricks her finger on a rose bush while pruning. A few days later, she develops small, red lesions near the wound and a red track ascending her hand toward her trunk. Her doctor prescribes itraconazole for the sporotrichosis. What is the mechanism of action of this medication?
- A. Disrupts fungal cell membrane by forming pores (nystatin, amphotericin B)
- B. Disrupts fungal microtubules (griseofulvin)
- C. Inhibits conversion of lanosterol to ergosterol
- D. Inhibits squalene monooxygenase (terbinafine)
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: Sporotrichosis, from Sporothrix schenckii, requires antifungals like itraconazole. Option , inhibiting lanosterol to ergosterol conversion, is correct-itraconazole blocks 14-α-demethylase, disrupting fungal membrane synthesis. Option , pore formation, is amphotericin B's mechanism. Option , microtubule disruption, is griseofulvin's. Option , squalene monooxygenase inhibition, is terbinafine's. Option (E), 5-FU conversion, is flucytosine's. Itraconazole's ergosterol inhibition effectively treats this subcutaneous infection, targeting fungal viability.
The nurse administers IV push hydralazine (Apresoline) to a client with severe hypertension. Which assessment finding requires immediate action?
- A. Blood pressure of 140/90 mmHg
- B. Heart rate of 110 beats per minute
- C. Headache
- D. Flushing
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Hydralazine, a vasodilator, lowers blood pressure but triggers reflex tachycardia. A heart rate of 110 bpm indicates significant compensation, risking ischemia or strain, requiring immediate action (e.g., slowing infusion, notifying physician). BP of 140/90 is improved, not critical. Headache and flushing are expected from vasodilation, less urgent. Tachycardia's potential to destabilize circulation, especially in severe hypertension, aligns with hydralazine's pharmacology'arteriolar relaxation prompts sympathetic response. This finding demands swift intervention to prevent cardiovascular collapse, making B the priority over manageable side effects.
The following are anticoagulants that do not require monitoring of INR:
- A. Rivaroxaban
- B. Apixaban
- C. Dabigatran
- D. All of the above
Correct Answer: D
Rationale: These are direct oral anticoagulants (DOACs), which do not require regular INR monitoring.
Why is it important to monitor ins and outs with patients using ACE inhibitors?
- A. To assess for renal impairment
- B. You must make sure the patient is receiving adequate fluid intake
- C. To assess the patient for potential heart failure
- D. To assess for decreased blood pressure
Correct Answer: D
Rationale: It is important to monitor ins and outs with patients using ACE inhibitors to assess for decreased blood pressure. ACE inhibitors are known to lower blood pressure by dilating blood vessels, which can sometimes lead to hypotension (low blood pressure). Monitoring the patient's fluid intake and output helps healthcare providers evaluate the patient's blood pressure response to the medication and make necessary adjustments to prevent complications such as dizziness, falls, or fainting. Regular monitoring is crucial to ensure the patient's safety and optimize the effectiveness of ACE inhibitor therapy.