Nokea
The provider requests the nurse to start an infusion of an inotropic agent on a client. How should the nurse explain the action of these drugs to the client and spouse?
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: The correct answer is C: It increases the force of the heart's contractions. Inotropic agents are medications that enhance the strength of the heart's contractions, improving cardiac output. This explanation is accurate because inotropic agents work by increasing the contractility of the heart muscle, leading to stronger contractions and improved pumping ability.
Explanation for why the other choices are incorrect:
A: It constricts vessels, improving blood flow - This is incorrect because inotropic agents primarily affect the heart's contractility, not vascular constriction.
B: It dilates vessels, which lessens the work of the heart - This is incorrect because inotropic agents do not primarily dilate vessels; their main action is on the heart's contractility.
D: It slows the heart rate down for better filling - This is incorrect because inotropic agents do not slow down the heart rate; they increase the force of contractions.
In summary, choice C is correct as inotropic agents increase the force of