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Vasoactive Drug Pharmacology Flashcards

7 cards from real CCP practice questions. Tap to flip, then mark Knew It or Still Learning — missed cards come back until you master them.

Read the first 7 Vasoactive Drug Pharmacology flashcards as text

  1. Which receptor subtype mediates the positive inotropic effect of dopamine at doses of 5–10 mcg/kg/min?

    Answer: Beta-1

    At intermediate doses (5–10 mcg/kg/min), dopamine primarily stimulates beta-1 adrenergic receptors, increasing cardiac contractility and heart rate.

  2. Milrinone exerts its positive inotropic effect by inhibiting which enzyme?

    Answer: Phosphodiesterase III

    Milrinone inhibits phosphodiesterase III, preventing cAMP breakdown and increasing intracellular calcium availability for myocardial contraction.

  3. A patient on cardiopulmonary bypass develops hypotension with low SVR. Which vasopressor acts primarily on V1 receptors to increase SVR without affecting heart rate?

    Answer: Vasopressin

    Vasopressin acts on V1 receptors in vascular smooth muscle to cause vasoconstriction independent of adrenergic pathways, with minimal chronotropic effect.

  4. During weaning from CPB, dobutamine is preferred over dopamine primarily because dobutamine:

    Answer: Causes less tachycardia and fewer dysrhythmias at equivalent inotropic doses

    Dobutamine produces strong beta-1 inotropic effects with less chronotropy and dysrhythmia risk compared to dopamine at comparable inotropic doses.

  5. Which pharmacologic property of nitroprusside requires co-administration of thiosulfate during prolonged infusions?

    Answer: Cyanide ion accumulation

    Nitroprusside releases cyanide ions during metabolism; thiosulfate acts as a sulfur donor to convert cyanide to the less toxic thiocyanate.

  6. Levosimendan improves cardiac contractility by which mechanism of action?

    Answer: Sensitizing troponin C to calcium

    Levosimendan binds to troponin C and sensitizes the myofilament to calcium, enhancing contractility without increasing intracellular calcium levels.

  7. A perfusionist notes that a patient receiving high-dose norepinephrine develops cyanosis of the fingertips. This is most likely due to:

    Answer: Excessive alpha-1 mediated peripheral vasoconstriction

    High-dose norepinephrine causes intense alpha-1 adrenergic vasoconstriction in peripheral vessels, potentially leading to digital ischemia and cyanosis.