CCI Cardiac Pharmacology and Hemodynamic Monitoring 3

Question 1

Which drug class is contraindicated in patients with severe aortic stenosis when treating systemic hypertension due to risk of hemodynamic collapse?

Accepted Answer

Potent vasodilators such as hydralazine or nitroprusside

Answer

Beta-blockers

Answer

ACE inhibitors

Answer

Dihydropyridine calcium channel blockers (e.g., amlodipine)

Question 2

During right heart catheterization, the oxygen saturation step-up from the right atrium to the right ventricle suggests which condition?

Accepted Answer

Ventricular septal defect (VSD) with left-to-right shunt

Answer

Tricuspid regurgitation

Answer

Pulmonary hypertension

Answer

Aortic regurgitation

Question 3

What is the mechanism by which beta-blockers reduce mortality in systolic heart failure (HFrEF)?

Accepted Answer

Blocking chronic sympathetic activation that causes adverse cardiac remodeling

Answer

Increasing heart rate and cardiac output acutely

Answer

Causing direct vasodilation and reducing afterload

Answer

Inhibiting aldosterone secretion

Question 4

Which vasoactive agent is used in the cardiac catheterization lab to provoke coronary vasospasm in patients with suspected Prinzmetal (variant) angina?

Accepted Answer

Ergonovine (ergometrine) or acetylcholine

Answer

Adenosine

Answer

Nitroprusside

Answer

Isoproterenol

Question 5

What is the primary goal of intra-aortic balloon pump (IABP) counterpulsation therapy?

Accepted Answer

Increase diastolic coronary perfusion pressure and reduce LV afterload via counterpulsation

Answer

Increase afterload to support blood pressure in distributive shock

Answer

Provide total cardiopulmonary bypass support

Answer

Deliver thrombolytics directly to coronary arteries

Question 6

Which anticoagulant is most commonly used during percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) due to its immediate onset and reversibility with protamine?

Accepted Answer

Heparin (unfractionated)

Answer

Warfarin

Answer

Rivaroxaban

Answer

Dabigatran