PTCB STUDY GUIDE – CHAPTER 20

Therapeutic Agents for the Cardiovascular System

Which structure is known as the “pacemaker” of the heart?

A. AV node

B. SA node

C. Bundle branches

D. Purkinje fibers

B. SA node

Which side of the heart pumps oxygenated blood to the body?

A. Right atrium

B. Right ventricle

C. Left atrium

D. Left ventricle

D. Left ventricle

Blood pressure is determined by cardiac output and:

A. Stroke volume

B. Renal clearance

C. Peripheral resistance

D. Serum potassium

C. Peripheral resistance

During systole, the heart is:

A. At rest

B. Filling with blood

C. Contracting to eject blood

D. Conducting electrical impulses

C. Contracting to eject blood

What is the correct order of blood flow?

A. RA → RV → Lungs → LA → LV → Body

B. RA → LA → RV → LV → Lungs → Body

C. LA → LV → Lungs → RA → RV → Body

D. Lungs → LV → RV → LA → Body

A. RA → RV → Lungs → LA → LV → Body

Which hormone triggers vasoconstriction in the RAAS system?

A. Renin

B. Aldosterone

C. Angiotensin II

D. Cortisol

C. Angiotensin II

Hypertension is called the “silent killer” because:

A. It is always fatal

B. It usually presents without symptoms

C. It always causes intense chest pain

D. It rapidly leads to stroke

B. It usually presents without symptoms

What is the primary symptom of angina?

A. Sweating

B. Chest pain/pressure

C. Edema

D. Nausea

B. Chest pain/pressure

Atherosclerosis begins with:

A. Hypoglycemia

B. Endothelial injury

C. Overhydration

D. Pulmonary embolism

B. Endothelial injury

A myocardial infarction occurs when:

A. Heart valves collapse

B. An arrhythmia develops

C. Coronary blood flow becomes fully blocked

D. The pacemaker fails

C. Coronary blood flow becomes fully blocked

Which condition is caused by plaque buildup in arteries?

A. Stroke

B. Atherosclerosis

C. Myopathy

D. Tachycardia

B. Atherosclerosis

Orthostatic hypotension occurs when:

A. Blood pressure spikes

B. Blood sugar drops

C. Blood pressure drops when standing

D. Heart rate decreases suddenly

C. Blood pressure drops when standing

ACE inhibitors end in which suffix?

A. -olol

B. -statin

C. -pril

D. -sartan

C. -pril

A common adverse effect of ACE inhibitors is:

A. Muscle pain

B. Dry cough

C. Severe constipation

D. Hypoglycemia

B. Dry cough

ARBs work by:

A. Blocking angiotensin II receptors

B. Increasing heart rate

C. Decreasing platelet activity

D. Lowering digoxin levels

A. Blocking angiotensin II receptors

Beta-blockers should be used with caution in patients with:

A. Diabetes

B. Asthma

C. GERD

D. Kidney stones

B. Asthma

Calcium channel blockers do what?

A. Cause vasodilation

B. Increase sodium retention

C. Cause vasoconstriction

D. Increase heart contraction strength

A. Cause vasodilation

Which drug class lowers LDL cholesterol the most?

A. Fibrates

B. Statins

C. Fish oil

D. Bile-acid sequestrants

B. Statins

Warfarin works by:

A. Blocking vitamin K–dependent clotting factors

B. Breaking down fibrin clots

C. Inhibiting platelet activation

D. Blocking beta receptors

A. Blocking vitamin K–dependent clotting factors

Which anticoagulant requires INR monitoring?

A. Apixaban

B. Rivaroxaban

C. Dabigatran

D. Warfarin

D. Warfarin

Nitroglycerin tablets must be stored:

A. In a plastic amber vial

B. In the original glass container

C. Refrigerated

D. Frozen

B. In the original glass container

Digoxin is used for:

A. Hyperlipidemia

B. Heart failure

C. Asthma

D. Stroke prophylaxis

B. Heart failure

A major symptom of digoxin toxicity is:

A. Rash

B. Yellow/green vision

C. Constipation

D. Excessive sweating

B. Yellow/green vision

Which medication class is first-line for hypertension?

A. ACE inhibitors

B. Antibiotics

C. NSAIDs

D. Antivirals

A. ACE inhibitors

Which drug is contraindicated in pregnancy?

A. Amlodipine

B. Lisinopril

C. Atorvastatin

D. Digoxin

B. Lisinopril

Which medication must not be crushed?

A. Metoprolol tartrate

B. Metoprolol succinate (Toprol XL)

C. Nitroglycerin

D. Ramipril

B. Metoprolol succinate (Toprol XL)

Which drug requires patients to avoid leafy green vegetables unless intake is consistent?

A. Aspirin

B. Warfarin

C. Atenolol

D. Amlodipine

B. Warfarin

Which drug can cause flushing and itching?

A. Gemfibrozil

B. Niacin

C. Digoxin

D. Metoprolol

B. Niacin

Which class carries a risk of rhabdomyolysis?

A. Statins

B. Fibrates

C. ARBs

D. Beta-blockers

A. Statins

Prinivil

lisinopril

Cozaar

losartan

Tenormin

atenolol

Norvasc

amlodipine

Lipitor

atorvastatin

Plavix

clopidogrel

Coumadin

warfarin

Lopressor

metoprolol tartrate

Nitrostat

nitroglycerin

Imdur

isosorbide mononitrate

Altace

ramipril

Zocor

simvastatin

Toprol XL

metoprolol succinate

Diovan

valsartan

Inderal LA

propranolol

Cardizem CD

diltiazem