CCT CCT Pharmacology & Cardiac Medications 3

Question 1

Loop diuretics such as furosemide are used in heart failure primarily to:

Accepted Answer

Reduce preload by eliminating excess fluid

Answer

Loop diuretics inhibit sodium and water reabsorption in the loop of Henle, reducing circulating volume and venous preload to relieve pulmonary and peripheral congestion.

Question 2

Calcium channel blockers such as diltiazem are contraindicated in patients with:

Accepted Answer

Decompensated heart failure and severe left ventricular dysfunction

Answer

Non-dihydropyridine calcium channel blockers reduce cardiac contractility and can worsen pump function in patients with severely reduced ejection fraction.

Question 3

When administering IV potassium chloride for hypokalemia, the cardiac technician should be most concerned about:

Accepted Answer

Infusion rate, as rapid administration can cause fatal arrhythmias

Answer

Rapid IV potassium administration can cause sudden hyperkalemia leading to fatal ventricular arrhythmias, so infusion rates must never exceed 10–20 mEq/hour.

Question 4

Aspirin is given immediately in suspected acute MI primarily because it:

Accepted Answer

Inhibits platelet aggregation to prevent further thrombus formation

Answer

Aspirin irreversibly inhibits cyclooxygenase, blocking thromboxane A2-mediated platelet aggregation to prevent worsening coronary occlusion during acute MI.

Question 5

Statins are prescribed to cardiac patients mainly because they:

Accepted Answer

Lower LDL cholesterol and stabilize atherosclerotic plaques

Answer

Statins inhibit HMG-CoA reductase to reduce LDL cholesterol synthesis and have pleiotropic effects that stabilize plaque and reduce inflammation.

(CCT) Certified Cardiac Technician Practice Test

(CCT) Certified Cardiac Technician Practice Test

CCT CCT Pharmacology & Cardiac Medications 3