CVT Pharmacology & Cardiac Medications Flashcards
6 cards from real CVT practice questions. Tap to flip, then mark Knew It or Still Learning — missed cards come back until you master them.
Read the first 6 CVT Pharmacology & Cardiac Medications flashcards as text
Which medication is used to pharmacologically stress the heart during a nuclear stress test in patients who cannot exercise?
Answer: Dobutamine or regadenoson
Pharmacologic stress agents such as regadenoson (vasodilator) or dobutamine (inotrope) are used to mimic exercise-induced coronary flow changes in non-exercising patients.
Amiodarone is classified as which type of antiarrhythmic drug?
Answer: Class III
Amiodarone is a Class III antiarrhythmic that primarily blocks potassium channels, prolonging the action potential duration and effective refractory period.
Which medication is the first-line treatment for ventricular fibrillation refractory to defibrillation?
Answer: Amiodarone
Current ACLS guidelines recommend IV amiodarone as the first-line antiarrhythmic for shock-refractory ventricular fibrillation.
Atropine increases heart rate by:
Answer: Blocking muscarinic acetylcholine receptors
Atropine is an anticholinergic agent that blocks vagal (muscarinic) influence on the SA node, allowing intrinsic automaticity to increase heart rate.
Which diuretic is most commonly used in heart failure management and acts primarily on the loop of Henle?
Answer: Furosemide
Furosemide (Lasix) is a loop diuretic that inhibits the Na-K-2Cl cotransporter in the ascending loop of Henle, producing potent diuresis to reduce volume overload.
Heparin-induced thrombocytopenia (HIT) is a serious complication characterized by:
Answer: Paradoxical thrombosis despite low platelet count
HIT is an immune-mediated reaction where antibodies against heparin-PF4 complexes activate platelets, causing thrombocytopenia and a paradoxical hypercoagulable, prothrombotic state.