Chapter 21: Vasopressors, Inotropes, and Antiarrhythmic Agents

Chapter 21: Vasopressors, Inotropes, and Antiarrhythmic Agents

Complete Chapter Questions With Answers

Sample Questions Are Posted Below

MULTIPLE CHOICE

1. Cardiac output depends on which of the following factors?
2. Venous return
3. Heart rate
4. Systemic vascular resistance
5. Pulmonary vascular resistance
6. Stroke volume

ANS:  A

Cardiac output is the amount of blood that is ejected into the aorta and travels through the systemic circulation with every heartbeat. Cardiac output depends on the sum of all local blood flow regulations and is shown in the following equation as the product of heart rate (HR) and stroke volume (SV). Changes in either one of these components may alter the effects of the other.

REF:   p. 350

2. Complications of pulmonary artery catheterization include which of the following?
3. Pneumothorax
4. Fluid overload
5. Dehydration
6. Infection
7. Thrombus formation

ANS:  C

The use of a pulmonary artery catheter is associated with complications such as infections, trauma during placement (pneumothorax), bleeding, and thrombus formation. The act of placing the device should have little effect on the fluid status of a patient.

REF:   p. 350

3. Your patient is experiencing heart failure and is in need of an inotropic agent. Which of the following would you recommend, barring any other cardiac issues?
4. Lidocaine
5. Digoxin
6. Milrinone
7. Dobutamine

ANS:  A

Lidocaine is a class IB antiarrhythmic agent. Digoxin, milrinone, and dobutamine all are inotropic agents.

REF:   p. 353 | p. 354

4. You are treating a patient who has severe asthma. Which classification of drugs may pose some risk of bronchoconstriction and should be used carefully in patients with asthma and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease?

ANS:  C

In patients with airway disease who are overly sensitive to the bronchoconstrictive effects of b blockers, esmolol may be a convenient selection. Because of the short half-life of esmolol (about 10 minutes), one may titrate the dose to meet the patient’s therapeutic and safety goals. Although b blockers are antiarrhythmic agents, the entire classification of drugs cannot induce bronchoconstriction.

REF:    p. 362